EXPLORE GRANTS

TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID
WAYS TO PAY FOR COLLEGE
GRANTS

Grants are college financial aid awards that don't have to be repaid! They are usually based on financial needs.  Technically, grants are considered a gift from your school, the federal government, the state, or a private foundation.  Several of the more common types of grants are described below.

LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?

THE FINANCIAL AID GUIDE is a free detailed informational guide to start early on ways to pay for college.

DOWNLOAD GUIDE
DIFFERENT COLLEGES DEFINED
TYPES OF COLLEGES

Have you thought about what type of school you would like to attend?

We are here to help you sort it all out. Check out the four primary types of colleges to see which one will be the best fit for your future education.

LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?

Download THE BIG GUIDE for Free detailed information to start early on planning for college.

DOWNLOAD
COLLEGE PLANNING SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT
QUESTIONS ABOUT COLLEGE PLANNING?

Schedule an appointment with our specialist.

SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT

FEDERAL PELL GRANT

67_1390X600_OPTIMIZED

A federal grant for undergraduates with financial need is awarded through the college financial aid office.

ELIGIBILITY

  • U.S. Citizen/Permanent residents; full/part-time undergrad; need-based.

AMOUNT

  • Up to $7,395 for the 2024-2025 academic year.

HOW TO APPLY

  • Complete the FAFSA by your school's specified deadline.

LEARN MORE

FSEOG

FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT

42_1390X600_OPTIMIZED

FSEOG awards are provided by the school financial aid office to lower-income undergraduate students. Preference is given to Pell Grant recipients.

ELIGIBILITY

  • U.S. Citizen/Permanent residents; full/part-time undergrad; need-based.

AMOUNT

  • $4,000 maximum award; $100 minimum award.

HOW TO APPLY

  • Complete the FAFSA by your school's specified deadline.

LEARN MORE

TEACH

TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM 

54_1390X600_OPTIMIZED

Program for students who are enrolled in a teaching program and intend to teach full-time in a high-need area at a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. Students must meet certain requirements after graduation or the grant will need to be repaid as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan with interest accruing from the date of each grant disbursement.

ELIGIBILITY

  • For U.S. Citizens or eligible non-citizens; undergraduate or graduate students at participating schools. You must meet certain academic achievement requirements.

AMOUNT

  • $4,000 maximum award per year; must sign an agreement to serve each year; if a student fails to meet teaching requirements after graduation, grants must be paid back as an Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan.

HOW TO APPLY

  • Contact the financial aid office at your college if you are interested in this grant. You must complete the FAFSA for eligibility but you do not have to prove financial need.

LEARN MORE

 

RHODE ISLAND STATE GRANTS

41_1390X600_OPTIMIZED

State grant funds are provided to eligible colleges in Rhode Island for distribution to students.

ELIGIBILITY

  • A student must file a completed FAFSA.

AMOUNT

  • Determined by schools' financial aid office based on funds availability.

HOW TO APPLY

  • Students should contact the Financial Aid Office at the college they plan to attend for complete program details at that school. 

COLLEGE & INSTITUTIONAL GRANTS

43_1390X600_OPTIMIZED

A grant that is considered a gift from your school and may be awarded based on financial need, academic merit, or some combination. Institutional grants often supplement federal awards to help students with financial need meet the total cost of attendance.

ELIGIBILITY

  • A student must file a completed FAFSA.

AMOUNT

  • Up to your total cost of attendance.

  • Your award will be determined by your school's procedures for awarding institutional grant aid and by their availability of funds. 

HOW TO APPLY

  • Find out what your school's procedures are for awarding institutional aid.

  • Your school may require that you complete other financial forms in addition to the FAFSA, such as the CSS Profile or institutional financial aid forms.

LEARN MORE

TOOLS & RESOURCES

KNOWLEDGE FOR COLLEGE
ENTER TO WIN $2,000 SCHOLARSHIP

Visit our Knowledge for College Scholarship page to learn more and enter today!

EVENTS
UPCOMING VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON EVENTS

A free service offered by RISLA's College Planning Center.

RISCHOLARSHIPS.ORG
SEARCH FOR FREE SCHOLARSHIPS

Look for hundreds of hard-to-find local scholarships.

Get started with your scholarship search today!

QUESTIONS
SCHEDULE A FREE APPOINTMENT

Do you have questions about college planning?  We are here to help you prepare, plan, and pay for college.

RISLA PRODUCTS & SERVICES

COLLEGE PLANNING CENTER

Students and families can be overwhelmed with planning and how to pay for college.  We have experienced counselors that offer one on one assistance helping families understand all their options start to finish.

LEARN MORE
EDUCATION LOANS

We have been offering low cost, fix rate education loans for almost 30 years.  Helping students and families borrower responsibly to help achieve their higher education dreams.

LEARN MORE
REFINANCE

Refinancing may help you simplify and save when repaying student loans.  Combining outstanding balances, and securing a low interest rate with RISLA may reduce your overall repayment amount and possibly your monthly payment.

LEARN MORE
EMPLOYER REPAY

Employer Student Loan Repayment assistance is a tax-free benefit allowing employers to contribute towards the repayment of employee student loans.  This newest in-demand employee benefit helps reduce financial stress for employees while increasing retention and loyalty to employers.

LEARN MORE