Eligibility Standards

Applicants should be aware that virtually all financial assistance awarded by Rhode Island College is limited to:

1.    Students who have been accepted into a program that will lead to a degree.

2.    Students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens.

3.    Students who are enrolled at least half-time (for six credit hours), although limited Federal Pell Grants are available to students enrolled less than half time.

4.    Students who are maintaining satisfactory academic progress (see Standards for Measuring Satisfactory Academic Progress for Undergraduate Financial Aid Recipients).

For financial aid purposes, enrollment levels are determined at the end of the Add Period (the first two weeks of each semester). Hence, those who are officially classified as non-matriculated students, visiting students, special students, non-matriculated graduate students, etc. at the end of the Add Period should anticipate that their awards will be canceled. Students whose enrollment at the end of the Add Period is less than full-time should expect that the amount of their award(s) may be reduced proportionately or canceled.

Students enrolled in a program designed to lead to a second baccalaureate degree or to the Rhode Island Teacher Education 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 a loan and/or work opportunities.