Proposed Law Would Make RI Promise Scholarship Permanent

WARWICK, RI — A proposed law would make Rhode Island's college scholarship program permanent. The RI Promise program, championed by Gov. Gina Raimondo, provides eligible residents with up to two years of free tuition at the Community College of Rhode Island.

The program, which has been in place for several years, is set to expire with the incoming class. If the bill becomes law, the scholarship will become permanent.

"The Promise program is an excellent example of how we can prioritize affordable college options for all Rhode Islanders," said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, the bill's House sponsor. "The best investment we can make to help individuals achieve their goals is to give them the access to a college education, which is the pathway to a brighter future."

Senate President Dominick Ruggerio introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

Raimondo proposed the program in 2017, with scholarships available to graduating high school seniors who commit to attending CCRI the following fall. To maintain their eligibility, students must attend school full-time, qualify for in-state tuition, maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher and stay on track for an on-time graduation. The scholarship is a "last dollar" program, meaning it pays for remaining tuition and fees after Pell Grants and funding sources have been factored in.

"Rhode Island, the nation and the world are increasingly knowledge economies," Ruggerio said. "Higher education is more necessary than ever before, and it has to be available and affordable for all Rhode Islanders. Rhode Island Promise has proven itself effective, significantly improving two-year graduation rates for students. Removing barriers to higher education, particularly its high cost, supports families, helps Rhode Islanders land better jobs, makes our workforce more attractive to employers and strengthens our economy."

As initially proposed, the RI Promise program would end with the class of high school seniors who graduated in 2020 and entered CCRI that fall. It was extended by the Rhode Island General Assembly in the 2021 state budget to include the graduating class of 2021.

The program currently costs the state about $7 million per year.

CCRI President Meghan Hughes said she is "extremely grateful" that the lawmakers are working to solidify the program, saying that is has made college dreams a reality for thousands of Rhode Islanders.

"We know that the promise of free college tuition is a powerful message, one that resonates with high school students and their families, many of whom doubted college could be part of their future," Hughes said. "By making Rhode Island Promise permanent, current high school students, and even today’s middle schoolers, will see a path to a postsecondary degree. With this degree, Rhode Islanders will have the opportunity to build a better life for their families and Rhode Island employers will have a more robust and well-prepared workforce."

Hughes went on to say that the scholarship "works ... [and] provides our students with the opportunity to succeed."

"Rhode Island Promise is a great program that has proven itself effective, and we strongly support making it a permanent resource for students," Ruggerio concluded.

More information on the program and eligibility is available on CCRI's website.