Paying for higher education has long been a challenge for many families, one that is intensifying with the rising costs of education coupled with the poor economy. There is some good news to report on this front, however.

The Rhode Island Foundation administers approximately 150 scholarship funds that assist students from middle school to post-graduate study and from every city and town in Rhode Island with the costs of education. Last year alone, the Foundation distributed more than $1 million in scholarship assistance to Rhode Islanders.

Some of the Foundation's scholarships are for specific geographic regions, such as the Bernard and Henrietta O'Rourke Scholarship for residents of Lincoln, RI, with financial need who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree. Other awards are statewide, such as the United Italian American Inc. Scholarship for Rhode Island residents with financial need, superior academic achievement and leadership in school and/or community who wish to attend a two- or four-year college or university. Still others target specific college majors, such as the RDW Group, Inc. Minority Scholarship for Rhode Island Minority students studying communications at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Individuals applying for many scholarships at the Foundation - both new and renewal applicants - must apply online utilizing STARS (Scholarship Tracking and Review System), a free online scholarship application system. Applications for other Foundation-administered scholarship funds must be submitted directly to a school or organization.
 
The Scholarship section of the Foundation website provides detailed information, including a list of all Foundation-administered scholarships with eligibility criteria, application information, and deadlines, as well as access to STARS.