Top 2 Tuition-Free Online Colleges in Rhode Island

Attending college enables students to gain valuable job skills, develop a social network, and build practical experience through internships.

A college degree typically translates to an increase in lifetime earnings between $600,000 and $900,000.

Tuition costs can make attending college difficult for many students, however. To combat the high cost of full-price tuition, students should learn about programs that offer free college in Rhode island.

Additionally, other forms of financial aid such as grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, and employer reimbursement programs can be used to reduce the cost of tuition.

Online Colleges and Universities with Free Courses

Here are some fantastic programs that offer free college in Rhode Island.

1. Rhode Island College

Rhode Island (RIC) has recently approved an exciting new program called the Hope Scholarship. The Hope Scholarship provides free tuition for the final two years of a bachelor's degree at RIC.

The program is designed to invest in the future of Rhode Island's workforce by giving more students access to high-quality education programs.

To be eligible, students must live in Rhode Island, have earned 60 credits, and maintain a 2.5 GPA.

The scholarship covers all mandatory fees associated with tuition and may enable students to complete degrees with less financial difficulty.

2. Community College of Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Promise means that all students graduating high school in the state can pursue an associate degree at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) at no cost.

The program is open to students graduating from public, private, and home schools, as well as GED recipients.

Students must complete and file the FAFSA form as well as the CCRI application to enroll in the program.

Recipients must earn at least 30 credits per academic year and maintain a 2.5 GPA throughout the course of the degree.

How To Make College Free

Free college degrees in Rhode Island will often require a mixture of funding options. Thankfully, there are a range of exciting programs that students can use to reduce or eliminate tuition costs.

Finding financial assistance can require creativity, research, and patience. The money saved through these programs is well worth the effort.

Here are some additional funding options such as grants, scholarships, employer tuition reimbursement programs, and tuition waivers.

Apply for Grants

Grants are one of the top ways to reduce tuition costs. In most cases, grants do not need to be repaid and can be directly applied against the cost of tuition.

The Pell Grant is a federal program designed to give lower-income families opportunities in higher education.

To determine eligibility for the Pell Grant, students must complete and file a FAFSA form. Students qualifying for the Pell Grant can be awarded up to $7,395 towards the cost of tuition.

Another grant that can contribute to free college in Rhode Island is the TEACH grant. The grant is dedicated to supporting the future educators of the country.

Students with financial needs may also benefit from the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant.

Nearly all grants require students to fill out the FAFSA to determine income, expected family contribution, and eligibility.

Apply for Scholarships

There are also a range of scholarships available to Rhode Island students. Scholarships may be awarded for different reasons such as academic achievement, identity, or area of study.

Several promising scholarships that Rhode Island students should explore include:

• Patty & Melvin Alperin First Generation Scholarship
• Beacon Brighter Tomorrows Scholarship
• Robert G. and Joyce Andrew Scholarship Fund
• Black Philanthropy Bannister Scholarship
• Carter Roger Williams Scholarship
• Constant Memorial Scholarship
• Beatrice S. Demers Foreign Language Fellows
• Martin Luther King Scholarship
• Major Jeremiah P. Murphy Scholarship

Make sure to ask each school's financial aid department about scholarship programs you may be eligible for.

Get Tuition Reimbursement from an Employer

Many employers support the education of their employees through tuition reimbursement programs.

State and public employees are most likely to benefit from these programs but the number of private employers offering tuition reimbursement is growing.

Check with your employer to see if they offer any tuition reimbursement options.

Look Into Tuition and Fee Waivers

Tuition waivers are programs that cut the price of college for qualifying individuals.

For example, the University of Rhode Island offers tuition waivers for senior citizens, disabled veterans, national guard members, and the unemployed.

Tuition waivers are also often available for students with Native American heritage and the dependents of veterans.

Find a Free or Low-Cost Degree in Rhode Island Today

Don't let the cost of college keep you from reaping the benefits of a degree. Find ways to get free college degrees in Rhode Island and enter into a world of new possibilities.