Rhode Island Foundation Announces RI Students Can Apply for $1.5 Million in Scholarships

scholarship recipients - murphy - 2015

PROVIDENCE, RI – At the time of year when colleges are sending out financial aid packages, the Rhode Island Foundation is offering Rhode Island students and their families more than $1.5 million in scholarships.

Dozens of individual, family and organizational donors established scholarship funds at the Foundation to help students defray educational expenses such as tuition, room and board, fees and books.

“Each of these scholarships turns dreams into reality for our donors and the recipients,” said Neil Steinberg, the Foundation’s president and CEO. “The effect of their generosity will ripple through our community for generations.”

In addition to general scholarship assistance, the Foundation offers a number of awards targeting students studying everything from social work or the arts to textile technology or film making.

The Albert and Florence Newton, Edward and Virginia Routhier, Willard and Marjorie Scheibe and Alan Edgar Wurdeman scholarship funds target students studying nursing.

“Receiving a scholarship motivates me to not only complete my degree, but to further my education. I look forward to be able to give back to my community once I begin my career in nursing,” said Meghan Rainville, a University of Rhode Island senior from Bristol who received a Routhier award for this academic year.

Some funds target students from specific cities or towns. The Brian Moretti Scholarship Fund and the Holly Charette Scholarship target Cranston residents while the Marissa Salabert Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Daniel Brian Cohen Scholarship go to Warwick residents.

The B. Jae Clanton Scholarship at the Urban League of R.I. and the RDW Group Minority Scholarship for Communications help students of color.

Others provide assistance based on gender, economic status or special circumstance. The Bruce and Marjorie Sundlun Scholarship is open to low-income single parents, while the Rhode Island Commission on Women/Freda Goldman Education Award is for women pursuing education or job training beyond high school who need assistance with transportation, child care, educational materials or other support services.

Kaitlin Bove is a senior at Salve Regina University who received assistance from the Sundlun and the Commission on Women/Freda Goldman Education funds.

“The scholarships allow me the opportunity to continue toward my goal of obtaining a bachelor’s degree in accounting,” said the Middletown mother. “Additionally, the awards provide me with the emotional validation that hard work pays off. My hope is to one day pay my good fortune forward by helping others receive a college education.”

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. In 2015, the Foundation awarded $41.5 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information about applying for a scholarship, visit http://www.rifoundation.org/WorkingTogether/ForScholarshipSeekers/ScholarshipFellowshipOpportunities.aspx)..

 

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Avatar About the Author: The Rhode Island Small Business Journal is a printed monthly magazine and an online resource for the aspiring and start-up entrepreneur and small business owner.

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