Scholarships and Awards
Nursing Awards
Each semester, three nursing awards are given to graduating seniors, recognizing both generic student nurses and a student registered nurse. The awards are given for excellence in nursing theory and practice. The award decisions are based on scholarship, excellence in clinical practice, leadership within the School of Nursing and service to the College and community. The awards are: Academic Excellence: (1) basic student and (1) RN to BSN student, and Service Excellence: (1) basic student.
Scholarships
Students enrolled in the School of Nursing are eligible to apply for a number of scholarships. The following includes a list of scholarships that are available through the School of Nursing and administered by the Rhode Island College Foundation. Recipients of these scholarships will be determined by a vote of the nursing faculty in August of 2021. The deadline for all scholarship application submissions for the 2021 to 2022 academic year is May 14, 2021. All applications and supporting documents must be emailed as PDFs to mdecosta@ric.edu; please use Nursing Scholarships as the subject line in your application submission email. Please place your last name in the title of the saved applications and supporting documents you submit. Scholarship awards are for one year only and the awardees are announced at the beginning of the academic year in September. The scholarships will be credited to the recipients’ accounts at the College. For any questions, please email Melissa DeCosta at mdecosta@ric.edu.
Class of 1957 Endowed Scholarship
Awarded to a full-time undergraduate student in the nursing program who is a RI resident, entering either the junior or senior year and demonstrates need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
2021-2022 Award: $935
Debra A. Dumont Memorial Scholarship
Awarded annually to a full-time junior or senior nursing student who is working in health care while completing their degree. Selection is based on commitment to nursing as reflected in an essay, work status, U.S. citizenship, R.I. residency, and demonstrated need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
2021-2022 Award: $522
Doris Mathewson Award
Awarded to one female and one male part-time or full-time nursing student at Rhode Island College. Criteria include minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and 3.0 in each nursing course, demonstrated financial need, and evidence of School of Nursing activities and service to the College and community. Students must submit a statement about their personal philosophy of nursing.
2021-2022 Award: $1500 to each recipient
Eleanor M. Olson Scholarship
Awarded to a Rhode Island resident with a GPA of at least 2.5 who is a full or part-time student at any level of the RIC nursing program. Applicants must write an essay (no more than 500 words), which answers the following questions: Why did you choose nursing as a profession, and how do you think you will contribute to the field? Preference is given to descendants of graduates from the former Pawtucket Memorial Hospital School of Nursing.
2021-2022 Award: $327
Karla Carroll Memorial Nursing Scholarship
Karla Carroll was a graduate of the Rhode Island College nursing program. She loved nursing and dedicated herself to helping people. She was killed in a plane crash. In her honor, her mother has funded the Karla Carroll Memorial Nursing Scholarship to be given to a junior/senior level, or RN/BSN nursing student who loves nursing and helping people as Karla did. Recipients must have a GPA > 2.5 and submit a maximum 500-word essay explaining why the student chose nursing as a profession and provide some examples of how they help people.
2021-2022 Award: $687
The Kristen A. Dupré Memorial Scholarship
In 2011, the family and friends of Kristen Dupré established the Kristen A. Dupré Memorial Scholarship Fund. Kristen, a third generation nurse, worked in the Emergency Room of Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island until July 2007 when her life was cut short due to illness at the age of only 26. This is the same hospital in which her Mother and Grandmother also practiced nursing.
While at Rhode Island College, Kristen worked two jobs until she successfully received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2004. Her passion for helping others in need was part of her character throughout her entire life. Kristen left a lasting impression on the many lives that she touched, and a legacy of compassion, ambition, and inspiration that encouraged others to join the nursing profession.
The Kristen A. Dupré Memorial Scholarship will assist a student as they pursue their dream of becoming a nurse. All recipients will demonstrate a similar spirit and passion for the nursing profession that Kristen possessed.
2021-2022 Award: $882
Criteria:
- The student must be enrolled in the basic baccalaureate nursing program with the intention of achieving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
- The student must be enrolled full-time at Rhode Island College.
- The student must submit an essay about why they qualify for the scholarship.
- The student must demonstrate need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
The Lucy C. Ayers Memorial Foundation Scholarship
The Lucy C. Ayers Memorial Foundation Scholarship provides financial aid for tuition, room, board, books, and other expenses for students currently enrolled in the undergraduate nursing program. Students must demonstrate financial need and earn a GPA of 3.0 or greater.
2021-2022 Award: $18,122 Distributed among multiple recipients
Mary E. Love Scholarship
Awarded annually to full-time undergraduate student(s) (may be RN to BSN) accepted into the Nursing major at RIC. Applicants must be eligible for enrollment in junior or senior level nursing courses the semester following award of the scholarship. Must have an overall GPA of 3.2, a 3.00 GPA in each nursing course taken, above average clinical evaluations, evidence of involvement in School of Nursing activities and of service to the college and community. Students submit a typewritten statement containing educational and professional goals with application.
2021-2022 Award $2,585 Distributed among multiple recipients
Robert H. I. Goddard and Hope Drury Goddard Fund
The Robert H. I. Goddard and Hope Drury Goddard Fund is provided through the Rhode Island Foundation and donated by the Goddard family. The fund provides full tuition for first generation students* seeking a baccalaureate degree and currently enrolled in the Rhode Island College School of Nursing.
2021-2022 Award: FULL YEAR TUITION
Criteria:
- *Students must be born in a country other than the United States or be the child of at least one parent born in a country other than the United States.
- Students must be enrolled in the basic baccalaureate nursing program with the intention of achieving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
- Students must be enrolled full-time at Rhode Island College.
- Students must demonstrate need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
- Students must demonstrate academic ability.
- Students must submit a 500 word essay describing their professional goals and how receiving the scholarship would impact them.
- Students must submit a letter of recommendation from someone other than a family member.
The Stella Joy Bunnell Endowed Scholarship
The Stella Joy Bunnell Scholarship was established by Stella's grandfather in her memory. Stella was born 3 months premature on April 24, 2019 and lived for 50 days, passing on June 13, 2019. Stella was born and cared for at Women and Infants Hospital in Providence. Stella’s parents were greatly appreciative of the care and compassion that their nurses showed; those nurses were graduates of RIC's nursing program. This fund is used to generate scholarships to support nursing students at Rhode Island College. Applicants must be enrolled full-time as a junior or senior nursing student, must have a minimum GPA of 3.33, and must submit a typewritten essay (no more than 500 words) explaining "Why I am pursuing a nursing degree." The recipient will be determined by a vote of nursing faculty in collaboration with Stella’s family.
2021-2022 Award: $420
View / download application and information
William F. Ciambrone Memorial Endowed Scholarship In Nursing
Awarded annually to a declared nursing major enrolled full time, who is a RI resident, demonstrates financial need, and achieved at least 3.0 GPA at the time of application for the scholarship.
2021-2022 Award: $263
For information about funding sources, students should contact their advisor and/or the Office of Student Financial Aid at (401) 456-8033.
