2010 Rhode Island Code
Title 16 Education
CHAPTER 16-56 Postsecondary Student Financial Assistance
§ 16-56-7 Need based scholarships.

§ 16-56-7 Need based scholarships. – (a) Amount of funds allocated. In accordance with authority policies, the authority shall allocate annually to need based scholarships any portion of the total appropriation to this chapter as it may deem appropriate for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section.

(1) "Educational costs" means the same as defined in § 16-56-6.

(2) "Family contribution" means the same as defined in § 16-56-6.

(3) "Federal grant assistance" means the same as defined in § 16-56-6.

(4) "Self-help" means the same as defined in § 16-56-6.

(5) "State grant assistance" shall be of any sum awarded to the student as determined in need based grants pursuant to § 16-56-6.

(c) Eligibility of individuals. Eligibility for need based scholarships shall be determined by the authority when it is established that the applicant is found to meet the general eligibility requirements as stated in § 16-56-3; and that the applicant is judged to be an outstanding student on the basis of criteria approved by the authority. The criteria, at a minimum, shall consider the following:

(1) A student's scholastic ability and promise; and/or

(2) A student's subject competencies including those that might extend beyond the academic fields.

(d) Amount of the awards. The amount of the need based scholarships shall be not less than two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) and no greater than two thousand dollars ($2,000) and shall be based upon the following formula: need equals educational costs less the sum of family contribution plus self-help plus federal grant assistance plus state grant assistance. Honorary awards shall be presented to students who are determined to have insufficient financial need for monetary awards.

(e) Number and terms of awards. The number of awards to be granted in any one fiscal year shall be contingent upon the funds allocated to this section. Students determined to be most outstanding shall receive priority for an award.

(2) Each award is renewable by the authority annually for a period of time equivalent to what is reasonably required for the completion of a baccalaureate or associate degree. The authority shall grant a renewal only upon the student's application and upon the authority's finding that:

(i) The applicant has completed successfully the work of the preceding year and has demonstrated continued scholarly achievement;

(ii) The applicant remains a resident of this state; and

(iii) The applicant's financial situation continues to warrant receipt of a monetary award.
History of Section.
(P.L. 1977, ch. 238, § 3; P.L. 1988, ch. 425, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 499, § 1.)