The Rhode Island State Grant Program is designed to provide grants to those students whose family resources are not sufficient

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The Rhode Island State Grant Program is designed to provide grants (non-repayable financial assistance) to those students whose family resources are not sufficient to meet the costs of higher education. Applicants for the Grant program must file a completed FAFSA.

Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to receive a state grant, a student must:

be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen;
be a Rhode Island resident since January 1st prior to the academic year in which the applicant enrolls in school;
be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a program that leads to a degree or certificate;
attend school on at least a half-time basis;
not owe a refund on a federal Title IV grant;
not be in default of a Title IV loan without having made satisfactory repayment arrangements with the holder of the loan to re-establish Title IV eligibility;
if already enrolled, be making satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school's satisfactory progress policy;
not already possess a bachelor's degree; and
meet Title IV eligibility requirements concerning drug convictions and registering with Selective Service.
Application Procedure
Applicants must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This may be completed on-line or FAFSA forms are available in high school guidance offices, college financial aid offices and at the Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority. This is the only form that needs to be completed to apply for the RI State Grant.

Application Deadline
The FAFSA must be received at the processing center by March 1st prior to the academic year the applicant is applying for aid.

Award Amounts
Awards range from $250 to $1200 depending on the recipient's financial need.

Additional Information
Awards can be used at eligible schools in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Awards cannot be used for study that is beyond the traditional enrollment period of an institution's academic year* (i.e. summer study).

Awards can be renewed for up to three years (four years if a student is enrolled in a bona fide five-year program of study) if the student files a new FAFSA, continues to meet all eligibility requirements and maintains satisfactory progress as defined by the institution of enrollment.

* An academic year for purpose of applying for RI state grants is defined as that period between July 1st and June 30th, inclusive.