PROVIDENCE – At the time of year when colleges are sending out their financial aid packages, $4 million in scholarships is available through the Rhode Island Foundation.
According to officials with the organization, ten students from Burrillville, Glocester and North Smithfield received aid last year to attend schools, including the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and Salve Regina University.
“Our scholarships can help students and their families bridge gaps that might seem overwhelming,” said David Cicilline, the foundation’s president and CEO. “This aid can make dreams come true for the students who get the help and the donors who make it possible. The results of their generosity will be felt for years as these young people make their marks in the workplace and in their communities.”
Dozens of individual and organizational donors have established scholarship funds at the foundation to help students cover the cost of tuition, fees and books.
According to a release from RIF, hundreds of scholarships are available. In addition to general assistance, the foundation offers a number of awards targeting specific fields, including marine affairs, nursing and the jewelry industry.
At up to $60,000 over four years, one of the largest is the Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio Scholarship, which helps students pursuing journalism or communications as a career.
Other scholarship funds provide assistance based on background or family history, among other factors. The Patty & Melvin Alperin First Generation Scholarship helps students who are the first in their families to go to college, and the Bruce and Marjorie Sundlun Scholarship helps single parents.
In addition to help with college costs, the foundation offers aid to Rhode Islanders who attend trade or technical schools in preparation for employment through funds like the David L. Taton Family Vocational/Technical Scholarship Fund.
For most of the scholarship funds, the deadline to apply is April 14. For more information about applying, visit rifoundation.org.
The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island.
