Our Scholarship Policies

1. Where can The College Crusade of Rhode Island scholarship be used?

The College Crusade scholarship can be used at:

• Any accredited college, university, community college or trade school in Rhode Island. Our scholarship can also be used for union apprenticeship and industry training programs in Rhode Island.

• Or at one of these eight schools outside of Rhode Island:
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (Boston, Mass.), www.bfit.edu
Boston University (Newton, Mass.), www.bc.edu
Dean College (Franklin, Mass.), www.dean.edu
Emerson College (Boston, Mass.), www.emerson.edu
Grinnell College (Grinnell, Iowa), www.grinnell.edu
Mount Holyoke College (South Hadley, Mass.) www.mtholyoke.edu
Northeastern University (Boston, Mass.), www.northeastern.edu
Wheaton College (Norton, Mass.), www.wheatoncollege.edu

Please remember: Crusade scholarships cannot be used at any schools other than those described above. If you attend a school that is not in the above two categories, you will not be able to use a Crusade scholarship while in attendance there. If you have a question about whether the school you wish to attend is a Crusade scholarship school, please contact our Scholarship Administrator at 401-519-0202 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

2. What kinds of scholarships does The College Crusade of Rhode Island offer?

The College Crusade provides "cash" and "donated" scholarships.

Cash scholarships can be used at any accredited college, university, community college or trade school in Rhode Island. They can also be used for union apprenticeship and industry training programs in Rhode Island.

Donated scholarships can be used at many Rhode Island schools and certain out-of-state schools (see the list of 8 schools in #1 above) that have agreed to donate scholarships for Crusaders. All the schools that donate scholarships to Crusaders are members of our Scholarship Collaborative:

• Bryant University (Smithfield, R.I.), www.bryant.edu
• Johnson & Wales University (Providence, RI), www.jwu.edu
• Providence College, (Providence, R.I.), www.providence.edu
• Rhode Island College, (Providence, R.I.), www.ric.edu
• Rhode Island School of Design (Providence, R.I.), www.risd.edu
• Salve Regina University (Newport, R.I.), www.salve.edu
• University of Rhode Island (Kingston, R.I.), www.uri.edu
• Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (Boston, Mass.), www.bfit.edu
• Boston University (Newton, Mass.), www.bc.edu
• Dean College (Franklin, Mass.), www.dean.edu
• Emerson College (Boston, Mass.), www.emerson.edu
• Mount Holyoke College (South Hadley, Mass.) www.mtholyoke.edu
• Northeastern University (Boston, Mass.), www.northeastern.edu
• Wheaton College (Norton, Mass.), www.wheatoncollege.edu
• Grinnell College (Grinnell, Iowa), www.grinnell.edu

Schools, colleges and universities that are members of The College Crusade Scholarship Collaborative donate Crusade Scholarships from their own money. Some schools’ policy is to donate your Crusade Scholarship by adding on additional grant money to what they would normally give you. Other schools simply rename the award they were already planning to give you and call it a “Crusade Scholarship.” We have advocated with schools that follow this second practice to add our scholarship to the grant they would normally give you, but we cannot determine how they set their practices for donating Crusade scholarships. The money for these scholarships comes from the school’s own financial aid budget, and they have the right to set their own policies.

If you have any questions about whether you have a cash or donated scholarship, please contact our Scholarship Administrator at 401-519-0202 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

3. Will Crusade Scholarships follow a "first" or "last" dollar model?

The College Crusade provides its cash scholarships on a "last dollar" basis because this provides the greatest benefit to students. The colleges that accept you will develop a financial aid package for you. Your financial aid package consists of grants, aid from the school, your Expected Family Contribution, loans, need-based work-study, and other aid. (Review your financial aid package carefully to determine what best meets your financial need.) Our cash scholarship is then applied to further reduce the amount of your educational expenses.

4. Who is eligible for a Crusade scholarship?

To be eligible for a College Crusade scholarship, you must earn admission to an accredited college, university, community college, or trade school (see #1 for the schools where our scholarship may be used). You are eligible for a scholarship for up to six years after high school graduation or receipt of GED. You must request your first scholarship award before you turn 22 years old.

5. How do I apply for a scholarship?

To apply for a Crusade Scholarship you must fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This is the form that all students use to apply for federal, state and many private sources of financial aid. The FAFSA is available online or through the guidance department at your school. You should file your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st and, if at all possible, before March 1st of the calendar year in which you are applying for financial aid. If you file by March 1st, you may be eligible for additional financial aid, such as state grant money from Rhode Island. Do not complete your FAFSA before January 1st.

6. How much money will the Crusade Scholarship provide?

The amount of a Crusade Scholarship will vary depending upon the kind of school you go to and the school’s policies. The maximum Crusade Scholarship will be $3,000 per year for a one-year school or a four-year school, and a maximum of $1,725 per year for a two-year school.  If you attend school less than full time, your scholarship will be pro-rated based on credit hours.

7. Can a Crusade Scholarship be used for other costs besides tuition?

Yes. A Crusade Scholarship can be used for any "legitimate educational expense" after tuition and fees have been paid in full. These expenses may include books, room and board, and transportation. Each school decides what the legitimate expenses are for its students.

8. Once I have started at school, what do I need to do to keep getting my Crusade Scholarship?

You must stay in school, be in good academic standing as determined by your school, and renew your FAFSA every year. (See #5 above.)

9. If I go to CCRI, can I transfer to a four-year school and still receive a Crusade Scholarship?

Yes. A Crusader attending CCRI can transfer to a four-year Crusade scholarship school at any time and continue to receive a Crusade Scholarship. However, you cannot receive the scholarship for more than a total of eight semesters (or twelve tri-semesters).

10. If I attend a trade school and complete and receive a certificate, can I go on to another postsecondary institution and continue to receive a Crusade scholarship?

No, your Crusade scholarship will pay for only one certificate program.

11. If I enroll in a non-Crusade school and later transfer to a Crusade scholarship school, can I still get a scholarship?

Crusaders who graduate from high school or complete a GED have six years to attend a Crusade scholarship school, whether or not they were previously enrolled in a non-Crusade school.

12. What if it takes me longer than the normal time period to complete my degree or earn my certificate?

The following chart indicates the number of semesters of scholarship aid that Crusaders can receive, depending on the type of school:

Type of school        Number of years of scholarship aid
Four-year school:    Eight semesters or twelve tri-semesters
Two-year school:    Four semesters
Trade school:         One year program – two semesters or three quarters
                           Two year program – four semesters or six quarters

13. Is my Crusade Scholarship paid directly to me?

No. The Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority (RIHEAA) administers scholarships for The College Crusade of Rhode Island. Award payments are made directly to your school. Payments are made after your school certifies your attendance, satisfactory progress and financial need. Because payments will reach the school after each enrollment period begins, you may be asked by your school to pay educational costs and then receive reimbursement when the school receives the Crusade scholarship funds.

14. Is there any reason why I would not receive a Crusade scholarship?

The Crusade Scholarship award we give you cannot exceed the total cost of attendance at the school where you attend. Your award will be adjusted if the school indicates that the award brings the total financial aid package to a level that exceeds the total cost of attendance. Your award offer also may change if there is a change in your financial status as determined by the school. Note that if there is a significant change in your family’s financial circumstances, you should notify your school promptly so they can determine any changes in eligibility for additional financial aid.

In addition, your postsecondary institution may require verification of the information submitted in support of your application. Verification may include state and/or federal income tax returns or documentation of investment value.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the College Crusade scholarship administrator at 401-519-0202 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Note: This document simplifies The College Crusade's Scholarship policies for informational purposes and does not constitute a legal agreement. Revised January 2012.

The College Crusade of Rhode Island policy prohibits discrimination based upon race, sex, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, color, sexual orientation, veteran status or handicap/disability status.