For more information on any of the below programs, please visit the Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority.

CollegeBoundfund - CollegeBoundfund is a state-sponsored trust available for families to save and invest for higher education expenses. Families can open an investment account to save for qualified educational expenses. The money in the trust is privately managed under the supervision of the State Investment Commission. While the money is on deposit in your account, there are no federal or state taxes on the earnings. When the child is ready to attend college or graduate school, amounts withdrawn to pay for tuition, room, board, fees, books, supplies and equipment required for enrollment and earnings are currently tax free. Funds can be used at virtually any public or independent educational institution in the nation and at some schools abroad.

College Planning Center - The College Planning Center, a free resource center sponsored by the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA), offers Rhode Islanders up-to-date information on college admission, financial aid, financing options, distance learning, and careers. The center also offers advice on scholarship searches and administers a Web site, www.rischolarships.com. Experienced financial aid and admissions professionals will be available seven days a week to answer questions. The center is committed to reaching all populations within the Rhode Island community to ensure that each of these populations has access to this essential information. The College Planning Center is located at the Warwick Mall, 400 Bald Hill Road, Suite R10.

New England Regional Student Program (RSP) - This program enables New England residents to get a reduction on out-of-state tuition when they enroll at public colleges and universities in a New England state, other than that of their legal residence, and study RSP-approved majors which are not offered by their home states. All 78 public colleges and universities in New England participate in offering hundreds of academic programs through RSP. Programs are available at all academic levels from associate's degrees through doctoral and first professional degrees. The RSP is a tuition reduction program, not a financial assistance or scholarship program, and students accepted through RSP are eligible to apply for financial aid from other sources. The catalog of RSP eligible programs is available in high school guidance offices, public libraries, college career services and admissions offices at New England public colleges and universities. For more information call New England Regional Student Program 617-357-9620.

Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority - The Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority (RIHEAA), was created to provide financial assistance to students and their families to help them realize their postsecondary educational goals. The mission of RIHEAA is to provide educational access and choice to residents of Rhode Island, promoting equal postsecondary opportunity to students who are restricted from participating in the educational programs of their choice due to insufficient financial resources. RIHEAA administers the Rhode Island State Grant Program, the Academic Promise Scholarship, the CollegeBoundfund (CBf) College Savings Program, and the CBf Five and Ten Matching Grant Program. The Authority is also the guarantor of the Federal Stafford and PLUS loan programs. For additional information, contact the Authority by phone at 401-736-1100 or by mail to 560 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, RI 02886.

RI Scholarships - RISLA (Rhode Island Student Loan Authority) has recently launched a new Web site that provides information on scholarships available to Rhode Islanders, from athletic scholarships offered by the Cumberland Youth Soccer Association to employee scholarships offered by Dunkin’ Donuts. The database can be browsed by category (like academics, civic service, or ethnicity) or by keyword. The site provides general information about each scholarship, allows visitors to produce customized letters of inquiry, and provides links to other Rhode Island resources.

Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) - Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) is a non-profit state authority dedicated to providing affordable loans for higher education. To be eligible, you must be a Rhode Island resident or attending college in Rhode Island. RISLA provides easy, local access to low cost educational funds; helps Rhode Island colleges and universities to be more financially competitive in attracting and retaining exemplary students; counsels students and parents on how they can afford higher education; and provides state-of-the-art loan processing and disbursement services. Information is available on the Stafford, Parent PLUS, College Bound loan, RI Family Education, Partnership, and Scholarship Loan programs. Call 736-1190 or 800-758-7562.