October 19, 2009 |
2009-R-0381 | |
TUITION WAIVERS AT RHODE ISLAND COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES | ||
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By: Rute Pinho, Research Analyst II | ||
You asked for a description of the tuition waivers at Rhode Island's public colleges and universities. You were specifically interested in whether the state waives tuition for unemployed state residents.
RHODE ISLAND TUITION WAIVERS
Rhode Island's public colleges and universities waive tuition and certain fees for unemployed state residents, senior citizens, disabled veterans, and National Guard members. Table 1 summarizes the waivers' provisions. All of the waivers apply to courses on a space available basis. Students applying for an unemployment or senior citizens waiver are subject to a means test. Students applying for the unemployment, senior citizen, or disabled veteran waiver must also apply for financial aid, which is used to defray the cost of tuition and reduce the amount of the waiver award. The institutions assign tuition waiver students specific registration dates.
Table 1: Summary of Rhode Island's Tuition Waivers
Eligibility Requirements |
Waiver |
Restrictions | |
Unemployed Residents |
Applicant must: ● be a state resident receiving unemployment benefits, ● have household income less than three times the federal poverty level, and ● not be claimed as a dependent for federal income tax purposes. |
Tuition and registration fee |
Applicant is subject to an unemployment means test and must apply for financial aid |
Senior Citizens |
Permanent state residents who are at least 60 years old |
Tuition only |
Applicant is subject to a senior citizens means test and must apply for financial aid |
Disabled Veterans |
State residents rated by the Department of Veteran's Affairs as having a service-related disability of at least 10% |
Tuition only |
Applicant must apply for financial aid |
National Guard members |
Members of the Rhode Island National Guard in good standing |
Tuition only |
Waiver is limited to one undergraduate or graduate course per semester, or four courses in a 12-month period |
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