🎓 University of Rhode Island Scholarships & Merit Aid (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic and competitive merit scholarships for freshmen
- NEBHE Tuition Break and out-of-state discounts
- Honors opportunities and key admissions notes
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~78% (Fall 2024)
- Middle 50% GPA: 3.4–4.12 (weighted)
- Middle 50% SAT: 1180–1350
- ACT: Median 29
Source: URI Admissions (Class profile) & third-party summaries citing official data.
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University of Rhode Island at a Glance
Last verified: October 15, 2025
The University of Rhode Island (URI) awards generous merit to strong applicants and participates in the NEBHE Tuition Break for select majors, helping many New England families bring costs down to near in-state levels. URI is test-optional and will superscore SAT/ACT if you choose to submit scores.
High-profile awards include the Presidential, Centennial, and Rhody Scholarships. Third-party sources often describe the Presidential Scholarship as a full-tuition award; official URI pages emphasize that amounts vary with residency and academic profile.
https://web.uri.edu/tuition-billing/tuition-and-fees/tuition-and-fees-full-time/
https://web.uri.edu/admission/first-year/
https://web.uri.edu/financial-aid/grants-and-scholarships/scholarship-guidelines/
https://nebhe.org/tuitionbreak/find-a-program/rhode-island/
https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/university-of-rhode-island/paying-for-college/net-price/
https://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships/scholarships/185479-uri-presidential-scholarship
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Rhode Island (2025–2026)
The University of Rhode Island (URI) provides clear in-state, out-of-state, and New England Regional tuition rates. Through the NEBHE Tuition Break program, qualified New England students can save roughly $9,000–$10,000 per year compared to full out-of-state tuition. The table below reflects officially published 2025–2026 rates.
| Category | Rhode Island Residents | New England Regional (NEBHE) | Out-of-State / International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $17,476 | $28,838 | $38,398 |
| Average Housing & Food | $15,070 | $15,070 | $15,070 |
| Estimated Annual Total (before aid) | $32,546 | $43,908 | $53,468 |
Note: Books, supplies, travel, and personal expenses (typically $2,500–$3,000 per year) are not included above because they vary by student. The totals shown reflect tuition, required fees, housing, and meals for full-time undergraduates.
Based on the most recent federal data, URI students pay an average of $20,816 per year after grants and scholarships. This represents what families actually pay out of pocket (no loans included).
🌎 NEBHE Tuition Break (Regional Discount)
- Residents of CT, ME, MA, NH, and VT qualify if enrolled in an approved major not offered at their home-state public university.
- Typical savings: about $9,500–$10,000 per year compared to full out-of-state tuition.
- Eligibility is determined during the admission process when you select a NEBHE-eligible major.
Learn more at the NEBHE Tuition Break page or our plain-English NEBHE guide for details on how it stacks with merit aid.
Sources: https://web.uri.edu/admission/paying-for-uri/ • https://web.uri.edu/tuition-billing/tuition-and-fees/tuition-and-fees-full-time/ • https://nebhe.org/tuitionbreak/eligibility/ • https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/university-of-rhode-island/paying-for-college/net-price/
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
URI offers guaranteed, renewable merit awards to incoming freshmen who meet the GPA and course rigor requirements—no test scores and no separate application are needed. If your student qualifies, the scholarship is automatically included in their admission offer.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University & Presidential Merit | $3,000–$17,000/year | HS GPA ≥ 3.2 (recalculated); course rigor; test scores not considered | No | Yes (min GPA 2.8, full-time) | High GPA and challenging courses; generally top quarter of the class, but URI does not publish an exact cutoff | Automatic with completed Common App |
Award ranges depend on recalculated GPA and course load—the more advanced classes taken, the higher the likely award. URI does not specify GPA bands beyond the 3.2 minimum for consideration. Test scores are not used at any stage.
- How to apply? No separate form—review is fully automatic with an admission application.
- Do test scores matter? No. Test scores (SAT/ACT) are not considered, so superscoring does not apply for merit.
- Can this stack with the NEBHE tuition rate? Not typically; check with the Office of Financial Aid for stacking rules if receiving the regional tuition discount.
- What about renewable terms? Awards renew each year if you remain full-time (12+ credits/term) and keep at least a 2.8 cumulative GPA; dropping below this GPA can result in temporary loss, but reinstatement is possible if you recover your grades the following term.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
These are URI’s most selective awards—reserved for students who stand out well beyond GPA. Many include interviews, leadership expectations, and unique travel or mentorship perks.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas M. Ryan Scholars | Full ride + J‑Term travel | Invitation after holistic review; all majors eligible; includes interview | No (by URI invitation only) | Yes (up to 4 years) | ~Top 5% of admits; GPA ~3.9+, 6–10 AP/IB/Dual courses, strong essays, multi-year leadership | After admissions review (priority: Dec 1 app) |
| Alfred J. Verrecchia Business Scholars | Full ride + mentorship | Business admits—top GPA, advanced econ/math, activity and interview | No (by URI business invite only) | Yes (up to 4 years) | GPA ~3.8–4.0; leadership (DECA/FBLA/etc.); work/internship; outstanding interview | By business college review |
| Schilling Scholars (STEM) | $20,000/yr + book & travel stipends | STEM majors, high GPA and STEM coursework, research/service indicators | No (auto/nomination) | Yes (up to 4 years, 6 for PharmD) | GPA ~3.8+, advanced math/science; research; strong STEM references | Rolling (college nomination/app) |
*Estimates: URI does not officially publish GPA/test cutoffs for these awards. Above profiles are based on “Meet Our Top Scholars” interviews and past recipient cohorts.
- Are these full rides? Yes—Ryan and Verrecchia replace all cost of attendance for 4 years, including tuition, fees, housing, meals, and extras.
- Do I apply myself? No—finalists are handpicked after the initial admission committee review, then may be invited to interview.
- Can these be combined with other awards? No—these flagship awards take the place of lower-tier merit and do not combine with NEBHE discounts.
🎖️ Honors College
URI’s Honors College focuses on building a close-knit community within a large campus. It offers students priority registration, direct access to faculty mentors, small seminar-style courses, and support for hands-on projects—without adding time or cost to graduation. Successful completion appears on both transcript and diploma.
GPA: 3.80+ (auto invitation, most students)
3.60–3.79 (reviewed for “Changemaker” intent); test scores not required.
Coursework: Multiple honors, AP, or IB classes.
Leadership: Clubs, volunteerism, or “changemaking” outside class.
Priority registration, smaller discussion-driven classes, transcript–diploma notation, individualized faculty mentorship, and a capstone Honors Project in your major.
- Is admission automatic? For GPA ≥ 3.80, yes—others may request review with an emphasis on impact/”Changemaker” projects and strong coursework.
- Does it add time or extra tuition? No—the 18 Honors credits are woven into most majors, and there is no extra Honors fee.
- Is there a special scholarship for Honors students? Not directly—Honors students pair the credential with URI merit, competitive, or departmental scholarships.
⭐ College Specialty
Beyond its signature ocean-focused programs, URI offers other areas of academic distinction that connect students to high-demand career paths and research opportunities.
- Pharmacy — Tied #31 in U.S. News (2024); modern labs, industry-connected internships, and a six-year Pharm.D. pathway.
- Nursing — Highly ranked master’s (#48) and DNP (#66) programs with strong clinical partnerships across New England.
- Earth & Environmental Sciences — Nationally ranked (#70) with robust fieldwork, GIS, and environmental policy integration.
Inquisitive, hands-on learners who thrive in lab and field settings, enjoy collaborative research, and want direct access to professional networks. Ideal candidates often arrive with strong STEM coursework (AP/IB sciences, advanced math), curiosity for applied problem-solving, and a willingness to engage in internships or research starting in their first year.