RI Seniors Can Apply For $80K Roger Williams Scholarship

PROVIDENCE, RI — High school seniors in Rhode Island can apply for up to $80,000 in scholarships in honor of the state's founder, Roger Williams. Winning students will receive $20,000 per year towards their four-year college tuition.

The scholarships come from the Carter Roger Williams Initiative at the Rhode Island Foundation, which was created by Letitia and the late John Carter.

"Roger Williams was a complicated man, but the pillars he aspired to still resonate today," said Neil Steinberg, the Rhode Island Foundation's president and CEO. "Thanks to the vision and continued commitment of the Carter family, young people throughout the state will continue to be able to discover and connect with his values."

Applications for the scholarship will be accepted through Feb. 28. Winners will be selected based on financial need and academic standing. To qualify, students must live in Rhode Island, be a high school senior and attend a public, parochial or independent high school in the state. Most importantly, applicants must "display an appreciation for values like freedom of conscience and learning from others," the principles state founder Roger Williams lived by.

Since it was founded in 2017, the program has awarded $1.68 million to 29 students. Previous winners include residents of Cranston, Woonsocket, Newport, East Providence, North Kingstown and more. The Carter scholarships are the largest awarded by the Foundation each year.

To learn more about the application and how to apply, visit the Rhode Island Foundation's website.