Don't leave free money for college on the table

FAFSA Dash Competition

Scholarships

$25,000 in Scholarship Prizes to be Awarded to Winning RI High Schools

In the 2018-19 FAFSA cycle, Rhode Island ranked 8th in the country for the highest percentage of high school seniors completing the form. This year, we want to help make Rhode Island 1st! We're challenging all high schools to meet a minimum 70% completion goal. To encourage all high school seniors to pursue post-secondary studies and highlight the availability of free federal student aid, RISLA will award a total of $25,000 in scholarship prizes to winning Rhode Island high schools. High schools participating in the FAFSA Dash challenge will be competing against similar-sized schools based on grade 12 enrollment numbers in two categories: highest achieving and most improved.
 
Highest Achieving
The highest achieving category focuses on percentage of students completing the FAFSA. First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded
to schools in each size category and also to schools with at least 50% of student receiving free or reduced price lunch.
 
Most Improved
The most improved category focuses on the percentage increase of seniors completing the FAFSA this year over last year. The first, second, and third place
prizes will also be awarded to schools in each category. An award will also be given to the school showing the most "FAFSA Spirit."
 
Check to see how your school is doing here!

High school & college students

The RISLA College Planning Center has been providing free in person college planning and financial aid guidance for twenty years. If you are a high school or college student - or the parent of one - you can get free help filing your FAFSA and CSS Profile. Simply book a free appointment with one of our college planning experts. 

Helpful Resources

Book a free FAFSA appointment

Adult learners

If you are thinking of going back to school or starting a college degree later in life, you may have special considerations in mind like child care, transferring credits, or working while attending school. The Office of the Post-Secondary Commissioner (OPC) has all of the resources to help you navigate the process. Use the form below and the OPC will reach out. 
By submitting this form, you understand that we will send your contact information to the Rhode Island Office of Postsecondary Commissioner (RIOPC). A team member at the RIOPC will contact you for assistance. You also understand that you may receive emails from RISLA and the RISLA College Planning Center as a result of submitting this form. You may opt out of these emails at any time. 
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Free FAFSA Completion Events

Event Date Time Location Who can attend
FAFSA Completion Day 2/1/2019 During School Hours East Providence High School East Providence High School students and their parents
FAFSA Completion Day 2/6/2019 During School Hours North Providence High School North Providence High School students and their parents
FAFSA Completion Day 2/6/2019 During School Hours Novell Academy (Central Falls Campus) Novell Academy High School students and their parents
FAFSA Completion Day 2/8/2019 During School Hours Woonsocket High School Woonsocket High School students and their parents
FAFSA Completion Day 2/11/2019 During School Hours Rogers High School Rogers High School students and their parents
FAFSA Completion Day 2/13/2019 During School Hours Shea High School Shea High students and their parents
FAFSA Completion Day 2/13/2019 During School Hours Tollgate High School Tollgate High School students and their parents
FAFSA Completion Day 2/14/2019 During School Hours Tiverton High School Tiverton High School students and their parents
FAFSA Completion Day 2/27/2019 During School Hours Tolman High School Tolman High School students and their parents
FAFSA Completion Night 2/27/2019 6-8pm Woonsocket High School Library Woonsocket High School students and their parents

Think you don't need to file the FAFSA? Think again!