Veteran Tuition Assistance and Waivers

Student veteran graduate, Gina Tavares, wearing commencement robes

Rhode Island and Rhode Island College deeply appreciate the sacrifices of our service members, veterans, and their families. As such, we participate in DoD Tuition Assistance and offer several state level waivers to assist in your educational journey. For more information about VA, DoD, or state benefits, visit the Military Resource Center or contact Shane Grantham.

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State/RIC Tuition Assistance Programs

STAP Waiver Process

The Rhode Island National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) provides tuition waivers for active National Guard members attending Rhode Island public colleges/universities.

RI Air National Guard & RI Army National Guard Members

Please complete this process to apply for a tuition waiver through the STAP program:

  1. Register for classes.
  2. Complete the (online) Fillable STAP Waiver Form:
    • listing your classes for the upcoming semester
    • include your School ID # or DOB on the STAP form, to enable the Bursar's Office to process the form and indicate the tuition waiver
  3. Submit completed form to RI ANG or RI ARNG Education Liaison
  4. Education liaison digitally signs on their end and sends back to student
  5. Student gets the completed/signed form back to the school's Bursar's Office, email the Bursar's Office at bursar@ric.edu

Contact Tuition Assistance

The following individuals are the designated RIANG & RIARNG Education Liaisons:

RI Air National Guard – Education Liaison
RI Army National Guard – Education Liaison
RIC Bursar Office

Disabled Veterans Tuition Waiver

Rhode Island residents with a Department of Veterans Affairs service-connected disability of at least 10 percent may apply for a Disabled Veterans Tuition Waiver. Disabled Veterans Tuition Waiver requests, along with the appropriate documentation, should be submitted to the Bursar’s Office.

Submit a Disabled Veterans Tuition Waiver

Please Note: The Disabled Veterans Tuition Waiver applies to tuition only. Approved students are still responsible for the fees associated with the cost of attendance. Students are required to apply for Financial Aid. Last dollar award only applies to remaining costs after financial aid, scholarships, or grants are applied.

Financial Aid Advising

While the Military Resource Center can answer basic questions, more specific questions should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid. This is especially true as it pertains to eligibility, award limits/specifics, impact from withdrawals, and financial aid debts.

Return of TA Funds

Rhode Island College will return any TA Program funds directly to the Military Service, not to the Service member. Up to the start date, Rhode Island College will return all (100 percent) TA funds to the appropriate Military Service when the Service member does not: (i) Begin attendance at the College; or (ii) Start a course, regardless of whether the student starts other courses.

Rhode Island College will return any TA funds paid for a course that is cancelled by the College.

Rhode Island College will return any unearned TA funds on a proportional basis through at least the 60 percent portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending. In instances when a Service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, Rhode Island College will work with the affected Service member to identify solutions that will not result in a student debt for the returned portion.

Tuition charged to a Service member will in no case exceed the rate charged to nonmilitary students, unless agreed upon in writing by both the College and the Service.

Rhode Island College entrance

Contact Us

Office of the Bursar

The office of the Bursar provides information related to tuition rates and fees, as well as payment options and billing deadlines.