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Rhode Island Promise

  1. CCRI
  2. Rhode Island Promise
  3. Frequently Asked Questions about Rhode Island Promise

Frequently Asked Questions about Rhode Island Promise

Who is eligible for Rhode Island Promise?
  1. You must be a Rhode Island resident who qualifies for in-state tuition and fees pursuant to the Residency Policy as adopted by the Council on Postsecondary Education.
  2. You must be a 2024 high school graduate (public, private or homeschooled) or a 2024 GED® recipient who was younger than 19 years of age when you completed high school or the GED® program. 
  3. You must be admitted to CCRI and enrolling in the semester immediately following high school graduation or the receipt of a high school equivalency diploma.
What steps do students need to take to apply for Rhode Island Promise?
    1. Apply to CCRI today.
    2. Fill out the FAFSA and complete your financial aid file. If you have any questions or need help, don't hesitate to contact the Financial Aid Office, or register for a Financial Aid Workshop.
    3. Submit your official, final high school or GED transcript. Contact CCRI Admissions if you have any problems getting your transcripts or scores: [email protected] or 401-825-2003.
Is there a deadline to apply?

We recommend that students apply as early as possible. The financial aid office encourages students to complete their file by May 1 to increase their potential to receive the maximum aid available from each of the financial aid programs and to secure their participation in Rhode Island Promise program.

How long after high school graduation will students have in order to be eligible for Rhode Island Promise?

Students are eligible for Rhode Island Promise if they enroll at CCRI for the semester immediately following their high school graduation or completion of a high school equivalency diploma.

Are GED® recipients eligible for Rhode Island Promise?

GED® recipients are eligible for Rhode Island Promise if they enroll at CCRI in the semester immediately following GED® completion and are younger than 19 when they complete the GED® program.

Do those who are not U.S. citizens qualify for Rhode Island Promise?

Yes, noncitizens may qualify for Rhode Island Promise if they meet the criteria to be considered Rhode Island residents. Please see the Council on Postsecondary Education’s Residency Policy for details.

How do I complete the Attestation form?

To complete the form, please log in to your MyCCRI account. Click the "For Students" tab, then under the "Financial Aid Requirements" box, click "Rhode Island Promise Attestation."  If your name and email address are not completed, please fill out the form and submit. If you are under 18 years of age, enter your parent's name and email address, then click "Start." Read the disclosure, then check the box and click "Continue." At the bottom of the page click the yellow box to confirm your e-signature. Click "Adopt and Sign," to finish. The final step is to click the yellow "Finish" box.

I have been selected for verification. How do I find out what documents or requirements are needed to complete the verification process?

Log in myccri.ccri.edu, select the "For Students," tab, review the "Financial Aid Requirements" section and select the 2024-25 time period from the drop-down menu to review requirements. (Please note that 2024-25 processing will open in January 2024).

What other financial aid is available for students not eligible for Rhode Island Promise?

The Community College of Rhode Island offers financial assistance to students who might otherwise be unable to further their education without such support.

How do students renew Rhode Island Promise?

Rhode Island Promise will automatically renew for a second year as long a student meets all of the scholarship requirements. Students do not need to fill out an application for the second year of Rhode Island Promise, but they do need to submit an updated FAFSA.

What if a student drops below a full-time course load?

To maintain eligibility for Rhode Island Promise, a student must complete a minimum of 24 credits in their first year (30 credits recommended) and stay on track to graduate in two years. A minimum of 9 credits are required each fall and spring semester, though full-time enrollment is recommended. To stay on track for graduation, a student taking less than a full-time courseload will need to take courses during the Winter Session and Summer Sessions in addition to thier fall and spring ernollment. If a student completes fewer than 9 credits in a fall or spring semester, or fewer than 24 credits in their first year, they will not receive Rhode Island Promise for that semester or future semesters.

What if a taking a full-time course load is unrealistic for a student because of a disability?

Students with documented disabilities may be eligible for a reduced course load and other reasonable accommodations. Please make an appointment with the Disability Services for Students office on your campus at least a week before classes to begin to discuss your needs and request an accommodation.

What if a student’s GPA drops below 2.5?

Students whose cumulative CCRI GPA drops below 2.5 after the first year (fall, spring semesters) will not earn Rhode Island Promise scholarship for the second year unless they take summer courses that move their cumulative GPA up to at least 2.5. Rhode Island Promise scholarships may not fund summer coursework, so the student may need to pursue other funding to enroll in summer courses.

Students who are unable to bring their cumulative GPA up to 2.5 in the summer will be deemed ineligible for Rhode Island Promise for the fall of their second year. Students who are ineligible in the fall can have Rhode Island Promise reinstated for the spring of their second year if they pursue fall coursework and bring their cumulative GPA up to at least 2.5.

What if a student does not earn 30 credits in his/her first year at CCRI?

If a student does not earn a minimum of 24 credits in the first year (fall, spring and summer semesters combined), they will not be able to receive a second year of Rhode Island Promise scholarship.

What if a student leaves Rhode Island after being awarded Rhode Island Promise?

The state has established Rhode Island Promise program to invest in Rhode Islanders. Students who receive the scholarship funds are asked to commit to staying in Rhode Island because we hope they will see the value of returning on that investment right here. The reality is that nearly 90 percent of CCRI students do stay here and raise their families here after graduation. For those few students who do not, the program does not contain a penalty for leaving the state.

What costs does Rhode Island Promise cover?

Rhode Island Promise will pay for the remaining cost of tuition and mandatory fees incurred based on enrollment in at least 12 credits after free money (Pell, SEOG, institutional aid and any other scholarships earned) has been applied.

Does Rhode Island Promise pay for textbooks?

Rhode Island Promise does not cover textbooks, but there are other forms of financial aid that help students pay for textbooks, including federal grants and loans. Upon completion of the financial aid application process, each student will receive more information about his/her individual financial aid package. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our Financial Aid office.

How many years does Rhode Island Promise last for each student?

Rhode Island Promise lasts for two academic years and covers the fall and spring semesters in each of those years. Rhode Island Promise program may have funds available to support a limited number of summer scholarships, but that is dependent on available funding in the overall Rhode Island Promise budget. The scholarship is guaranteed only for the fall and spring semesters.

Does Rhode Island Promise cover developmental classes?

Yes, Rhode Island Promise covers both developmental courses and college-level courses.

Can students use Rhode Island Promise for any program at CCRI?

Rhode Island Promise can be applied to any associate degree program at CCRI. It may not be used for certificate or noncredit programs.

What if I already paid part or all of my tuition and fees and then qualify for Rhode Island Promise?

Students who pay for tuition and then receive Rhode Island Promise will be refunded once the Rhode Island Promise scholarships are officially disbursed.

What if a student has to leave the college for military, personal or medical reasons?

Under certain extenuating circumstances, Rhode Island Promise students may request an approved leave to extend eligibility. Extenuating circumstances may include documented medical emergency; documented personal emergency; or documented military deployment. For more information please visit the RI Promise/COVID Recovery Scholarship Leave of Absence page.

What if I earned college credit through concurrent enrollment, dual enrollment or an AP class?

Any college credits you earned at CCRI prior to your high school graduation will count toward the 24 credits you must earn in your first year to maintain Rhode Island Promise eligibility. If you earned credits at another college or university while you were in high school, you will need to have that college transcript evaluated by our transfer office. Please see Transferring to CCRI for additional details.

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