Eligibility and Application Information
Applicants should be aware that virtually all financial aid awarded by Rhode Island College is limited to students who are:
- Enrolled in a program that will lead to a degree
- U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens
- Enrolled at the College at least half-time (6-8 credits for undergraduates; 4.5 or more credits for graduate students). Limited Federal Pell Grants are available to some students studying less than half-time.
- Maintaining Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress
For financial aid purposes, student status is typically verified after the end of the Add Period (the first two weeks of the semester). Students should expect that the amount of their award(s) might be reduced proportionately and/or cancelled if their status at the end of the Add Period is less than full time.
Those who are officially classified as non-matriculated students, visiting students, or special students should anticipate that their awards would be canceled.
Students enrolled in a program designed to lead to a second baccalaureate degree or in the Rhode Island Teacher Certification Program (RITE) are considered ineligible for virtually all grant/gift assistance provided by or through Rhode Island College. Second baccalaureate degree and RITE students may be considered for financial assistance in the form of loan and/or work opportunities.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
RIC's Federal School Code is 003407.
Applicants should fill out all forms completely and accurately in order to avoid delays in processing and possible loss of financial aid.
When completing the FAFSA, we encourage you to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to transfer your IRS Tax Return data directly into your FAFSA. This will make the application process easier and more accurate. In order to successfully use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you must have a:
- Federal tax return filed with the IRS
- Valid Social Security number
- Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID
- Unchanged marital status since December 31 of the prior year
After the FAFSA is submitted, a confirmation email will be sent by the federal processor. A second email will be sent to the student shortly afterwards confirming the FAFSA has been processed. At that time, you may view a Student Aid Report (SAR). Be sure Rhode Island College is listed on the SAR (School Code 003407), otherwise we will not receive your information from the federal processor. If a SAR is not received within five to 10 days, please contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.
Financial aid awards are not automatically renewable unless specified otherwise in your award letter. Almost all student aid at the College must be reapplied for every year.
Note: Rhode Island College reserves the right to require verification of income data submitted by any and all applicants for financial assistance. Awards for those who are asked for such verification will be made conditional upon receipt of the requested information/documentation. Forms of documentation or verification that may be requested include, but are not limited to, transcripts of federal income tax returns and copies of authorization letters for untaxed income. Any discrepancy in reported figures may result in adjustment or cancellation of the financial aid award and may be reported to the federal government for further review and possible legal action.
All awards made by or through the College are conditional and are based upon information available to College officials at the time the award is made. All awards are, therefore, subject to change and/or cancellation, should the College become aware of facts, conditions, and/or circumstances that differ from those upon which the award(s) was (were) based. Similarly, all awards are contingent upon the receipt by the College of sufficient funding from state, federal, or other funding sources and/or donors to cover award offers.
The U.S. Department of Education announced the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available December 31, 2023. New and returning students seeking financial aid from Rhode Island College for the 2024-2025 academic year are advised to file the FAFSA as soon as the online application becomes available at Federal Student Aid. RIC's Federal School Code is 003407.
Financial aid awards are not automatically renewable unless specified otherwise in your award letter. Almost all student aid at the College must be reapplied for each year by completing a new FAFSA by the priority deadline.
In addition to the process outlined above, students who wish to apply for financial assistance for summer sessions must submit a Rhode Island College Application for Financial Aid - Summer Sessions. These forms are available from the Office of Student Financial Aid by March 15.
If you are planning to take summer classes and are interested in applying for financial aid, you should contact our office to set up an appointment with your financial aid counselor and discuss the awarding process.
Summer Session aid is contingent upon the availability of funds and typically consists of Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and Federal Work Study. Preference for Work Study is given to applicants who file summer applications prior to April 1.
Note: Financial aid received during the summer sessions may reduce the amount of financial aid you are eligible to receive during the following fall and/or spring semesters. It may also result in a delay in the processing of your academic year financial aid award.
