Preparatory Enrollment Program (PEP)

• What is the Preparatory Enrollment Program?
• How does P.E.P. prepare students for RIC?
• What is the Competitive PEP selection process?
• Who is eligible for P.E.P.?
• What about the costs of P.E.P. and Rhode Island College?
• How do I Apply to P.E.P.?
• What is the Role of the Counselor?
• Notice of Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination

What is the Preparatory Enrollment Program?

The Preparatory Enrollment Program is a program has a long history of encouraging and supporting students from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds in their pursuit of a Rhode Island College education.

The purpose of P.E.P. is to aid, assist, and support:

• Students to be the first in their family to complete a four year college degree
• Students who come from a low-income family
• Students who have a disability
• Students who may benefit from academic support
• Our hope is that we will contribute to your future, and you will in turn, contribute to our College community.

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How does P.E.P. prepare students for RIC?

P.E.P. consists of two academic phases designed to fully prepare participants for the college-level work that they will face when they enroll at Rhode Island College in the fall.

Phase One: Spring classes five sessions held over six weeks
Phase Two: Seven week Summer Session of intense academic study.

You will:

• Live on campus
• Attend college level courses such as: Math, Writing, Argument and Debate, etc.
• Benefit from small classes, live-in tutors; and group study.
• Receive one-on-one and group counseling/academic advising.
Participate in athletic actvities, attend such activities as plays, concerts, museum visits, and picnics to round out your pre-college PEP experience.
• Successful completion of the Spring and Summer components (as well as meeting all important deadlines) along with a positive recommendation from the director enrolls you as a full-time degree student.

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What is the Competitive PEP selection process?

While we will be examining your high school transcripts, GED records, SAT scores, your essay, and the Rhode Island College’s Math and Writing placement tests, the application process is much more than that. We also want to know who you are personally. Not only do we want to know what you have achieved, but more importantly what are you capable of achieving? What are your goals and aspirations? In addition to the above, the following will assist in making our final decision.

All components of the application must be completed by FEBRUARY 1ST

• Application due February 1st
• College’s PEP eligibility form
• FAFSA – no later than March 1st
• Rhode Island College financial aid application: due before March 1st
• The essay
• Three recommendations
• And a possible interview

Important: You must complete every step in the process

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Who is eligible for P.E.P.?

If you meet all the following criteria, you are eligible to apply to the Preparatory Enrollment Program:

• Are a Rhode Island High School senior, recent graduate, or G.E.D. recipient
• Need and would benefit from academic support
• Are from a low-income family and you will be the first to graduate from a four year college in the United States.

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What about the costs of P.E.P. and Rhode Island College?

• The Spring and Summer components of the program are covered by the PEP program upon successful completion of the Summer component.
• Students are considered for the best possible financial aid package to which they and their families are eligible.
• Whenever possible, 100% of your need will be met with grant assistance instead of loans.
• NOTE: Aid is determined by the FAFSA formula, Rhode Island College, and PEP, based upon family/student income.
• Warning: Students will only be considered for the PEP grant if and when the Rhode Island College financial aid application is received by the college; no later than March 1st.
• See your PEP counselor for further information and clarification.

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How do I Apply to P.E.P.?

• Applying to the Preparatory Enrollment Program takes effort and genuine interest.
• It is up to you to meet our application requirements.
• We can only succeed in evaluating you if you provide us with all the information we request.
• If you are interested in applying, please call the Admissions Office at Rhode Island College, (401) 456-8234 or call the Student Support Services office at (401) 456-8237.
• You will be provided with a checklist of required application materials and a calendar of important dates.
• Our office hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday. Please feel free to call us with any questions or concerns.

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What is the Role of the Counselor?

Each student in P.E.P. will be assigned to a counselor. The Counselors have the following responsibilities.

• To provide you with academic advice and assistance (i.e. majors, course selection, class difficulties, tutors, etc.).
• To provide assistance with understanding Financial Aid Policy and procedures.
• To help you identify obstacles which may be interfering with your studies, and assist you in working out solutions to better handle these obstacles.
• To help you in developing a career plan.
• To help you develop as a person as will as a student.
• To advocate or not advocate for you as a student.

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Notice of Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination

Rhode Island College is committed to equal opportunity and affirmative action. No student, employee, or applicant will be denied admission, employment, or access to programs and activities because of race, sex, religion, age, color, national origin. handicap, sexual orientation, conviction record, or Vietnam era veteran status. This College policy is in concert with state and federal nondiscrimination laws. Inquiries concerning the College’s administration of the nondiscrimination laws should be addressed to the College Affirmative Action Officer.

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