Fresh Start Scholarship

The CCRI Fresh Start Scholarship funds up to two semesters for free to Rhode Island residents who previously attended CCRI and have not yet earned an associate degree or higher.  The scholarship will be offered for the Summer and Fall 2025 semesters.

• This is a "last-dollar" scholarship. It covers any tuition gaps not covered by other federal, state  and/or private grants and is awarded after all other financial aid resources have been exhausted.
• The cost of books/course materials each semester will be supported including inclusive access online materials or a $30 per credit allowance. This may not cover the entire cost of books and course materials.
• Scholarships are granted on a first-come, first-served basis. 
• Eligible students can enroll for the Summer or Fall 2025 terms. 
• Students must maintain continuous enrollment to receive the scholarship for two semesters.
• Part-time or full-time enrollment is permitted.
• Students may enroll in certificate or associate degree programs.
• Students may only enroll in courses that count towards their program of study.
• Students with military training, corporate training, work experience or other experiential learning, may be eligible for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). Prior learning must be applicable to the student’s certificate or degree.
• Disbursement of funds for initial and/or renewal scholarship awards is conditioned upon the State of Rhode Island's annual appropriation of sufficient funding for the Fresh Start Scholarship.

To be eligible for this scholarship, you must: 

• Be a Rhode Island resident who qualifies for in-state tuition and fees pursuant to the Residency Policy as adopted by the Council on Postsecondary Education.
• Have attended classes at CCRI in the past and been enrolled in a certificate or associate degree program. (Dual enrollment and noncredit workforce programs do not meet this requirement.)
• Not have earned an associate or bachelor’s degree.
• Not have attended any college the previous two semesters
  • For Summer 2025 enrollment, you cannot have attended any college during the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters.
  • For Fall 2025 enrollment, you cannot have attended any college between the Spring 2025- Summer 2025. 
• Have submitted a complete 2024- 2025 FAFSA for Summer enrollment or 2025-26 FAFSA for Fall enrollment. (Students who are ineligible for financial aid due to not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) must complete the financial aid appeal process before or during the first semester of the scholarship.)

Other Considerations:

• Prior outstanding balances with CCRI may be deferred upon review.
• Students that have defaulted on their federal student loans will be considered. If you are in default, please contact [email protected] for information on the federal fresh start process for getting out of default.

Next Steps: 

1. APPLY: Submit a new application to CCRI for Summer or Fall 2025.

• Your new application will reactivate your student account and allow you to register for classes.

2. FAFSA: Submit your FAFSA. 

• This scholarship is not based on income. However, CCRI needs your FAFSA on file to be able to consider you for this scholarship.
• If you need assistance, contact the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) to set up a free, 1-on-1 consultation with an advisor to walk through the FAFSA. You can contact the EOC at 401-455-6028 or [email protected].
• You can also register for a FAFSA workshop here.

3. TRANSCRIPTS: Send official transcripts from other colleges that you've attended to [email protected].

• Our Records Department will evaluate your transcripts to determine if any of your college credits can be transferred in to CCRI.

4. REGISTER: Register for your classes from your MyCCRI account.

• Register early to get the best class schedule! How to Register.
• Please consult the advising schedule to speak with an academic advisor if you need assistance choosing your classes.
• You may only register for courses in your CCRI program of study.

See Advising Schedule

Is the scholarship income-based? 

No. However, our financial aid office still needs to have your FAFSA on file to be able to grant you an award. 

Is there anything the scholarship does not cover? 

The scholarship provides some assistance with the cost of books/course materials, but the entire cost may not be covered.

Can I take classes online and/or in person? 

Yes! CCRI offers many online courses to accommodate the busy lives of our adult learners. We also offer in-person classes for those who prefer face-to-face instruction, and some classes are a hybrid between the two. 

Can I take classes part-time? 

Yes!  You may take just one or two classes at a time if you have other obligations such as work and family to attend to. However, the scholarship will also allow you to attend full-time if you can. 

What classes can I take? 

You may only take classes that count towards your program of study. 

Can I get credit for my work/life experience? 

Yes! If your background includes military service, corporate training, work experience or other experiential learning that is related to your certificate or degree, you may be eligible for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). Visit our prior learning web page to learn more about how you can shorten your time to degree completion, or contact our CPL Coordinator, Nicole Sheldon, at [email protected].  Students with military training should visit https://www.ccri.edu/priorlearning/military.html for information and steps.

Will CCRI accept credits from another college? 

Yes! Request that your official college transcripts be sent to [email protected] for evaluation. Our records department will determine which classes can transfer in according to our policies.