Rhode Island Scholarships
Living or studying in Rhode Island qualifies you for scholarships that most students never see: statewide awards restricted to RI residents, where the applicant pool is a fraction of any national contest. These verified awards sit on top of the national scholarships and Rhode Island's own state aid programs, so treat them as one layer of a larger funding plan.
- Open scholarships
- 5
- Median award
- $2,000
- Largest award
- $20,000
- No essay required
- 3
Carter Roger Williams Scholarship
Up to $20,000Annual: March 2Rhode Island high school seniors who embody Roger Williams's values may apply to the Rhode Island Foundation for the Carter Roger Williams Scholarship. Up to $20,000 per year is offered, renewable up to three additional years with financial need and satisfactory academic standing. Five awards are granted annually. Submit an essay, transcripts, residency proof, and FAFSA documentation by March 2. The Carter family funded the program to broaden college access for Rhode Island students.
Essay written for youBruce and Marjorie Sundlun Scholarship
Up to $2,000Annual: April 13Single parents who are Rhode Island residents may apply for the Bruce and Marjorie Sundlun Scholarship through the Rhode Island Foundation's universal scholarship application. Awards range up to $2,000 and are renewable; past recipients may reapply. Preference goes to parents currently or previously receiving state aid or those who have been previously incarcerated. Submit the universal application with all required documents. The scholarship helps single parents in Rhode Island pursue higher education despite financial obstacles.
No essay requiredFirm Foundation For Life
$1,000Due Apr 15, 2027Woonsocket, Rhode Island residents who are beginning college may apply for scholarships from Firm Foundation Christian Church. Applicants should demonstrate involvement in community, school, and church activities. Three recipients each receive $1,000 annually. Funds are disbursed directly to the recipient's chosen college. Complete the application with personal and academic information, provide one academic reference and one Christian reference (such as a church leader or teacher), and submit a 200-word-or-fewer essay on the provided prompt. The top five candidates are interviewed briefly, and three recipients are selected. Email the completed application by April 15.
Essay written for youAcademic Advantage Scholarship Grant
$500Annual: April 15Rhode Island high school seniors graduating in June who participate in extracurricular activities and community service may apply for Academic Advantage's $500 Scholarship Grant. One award is offered. Submit report cards, proof of community service and extracurricular involvement, and a recommendation letter from a school staff member describing you as a good role model. Mail or fax materials to Academic Advantage in Warwick, Rhode Island. The grant recognizes Rhode Island graduates who balance academics with service and activities.
No essay requiredGFWC Women's Club of South County Scholarship
Amount variesDue Oct 1, 2026Women age 20 or older who are residents of Washington County, Rhode Island, may apply for GFWC Women's Club of South County scholarships toward tuition for vocational training, certificate programs, or a first associate or bachelor's degree. Award amounts vary. Scholarships are paid directly to the educational institution for tuition only. Preference goes to motivated women working toward self-sufficiency who demonstrate financial need. Applicants complete the online application, which opens November 1. Deadlines are April 1 and October 1 annually.
No essay required
See all 5 scholarships you qualify for
Create your free profile and Award Scholar writes the essays in your voice, then applies for you.
Common questions
How many Rhode Island scholarships are there?
Award Scholar currently lists 5 verified scholarships for Rhode Island students, with amounts and deadlines checked against each sponsor's official page. The median award is around $2,000, and the largest reaches $20,000.
Do these scholarships require essays?
Not all of them. 3 of the current awards need no essay, so they take minutes to apply to. The essay-based ones tend to be less crowded and pay more, and Award Scholar can draft those essays in your own voice.
What Rhode Island financial aid exists beyond scholarships?
Rhode Island runs its own aid programs, including Rhode Island Promise and Hope Scholarship, administered by RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner. File the FAFSA (No fixed state deadline published. Check with your school's financial aid office and file early.) to unlock them, then stack private scholarships on top. See the full Rhode Island financial aid guide for deadlines and eligibility.
Can Rhode Island students also win national scholarships?
Yes. Statewide awards restrict the applicant pool to Rhode Island residents, which improves your odds, but they are one layer. Most winning students combine state-restricted awards, national scholarships that match their profile, and state aid.
When is the next deadline?
The next verified deadline in this group is October 1, 2026. Deadlines are spread across the whole year, so a miss is never fatal — new windows open every month.