At the time of year when colleges are sending out financial aid packages, the Rhode Island Foundation announced that it is offering Rhode Island students and their families more than $500,000 in scholarships. 

Dozens of individual and organizational donors established scholarship funds at the Foundation to help students defray educational expenses such as tuition, fees and books.

 “Every one of these scholarships makes dreams come true for our donors and our recipients,” said Neil Steinberg, the Foundation’s president and CEO. “The impact of their generosity will ripple through Rhode Island for generations.”

In addition to general scholarship assistance, some funds target specific geographic areas such as Cranston or Warwick or provide assistance based on gender, economic status or special circumstance.

The Cataract Fire Company #2 Scholarship, Marissa Salabert Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Daniel Brian Cohen Scholarship are among the awards available to Warwick residents, while the Brian Moretti Scholarship Fund and the Holly Charette Scholarship target Cranston residents.

The Melvin and Patty Alperin First Generation Scholarship is earmarked for high school seniors who are accepted or enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college whose parents did not graduate from college.

The Rhode Island Commission on Women/Freda Goldman Education Award is for women pursuing education or job training beyond high school who need assistance with transportation, child care, educational materials or other support services.

The Bruce and Marjorie Sundlun Scholarship and Frances Macartney (sic) Porter Fund are open to low-income single parents. In addition, the Sundlun scholarship gives preference to men or women currently or previously receiving state aid or those who were previously incarcerated or will soon be released from prison.

The Foundation also offers a number of awards targeting students studying everything from social work or the arts to textile technology or filmmaking. The Albert and Florence Newton, Edward and Virginia Routhier and Willard and Marjorie Scheibe scholarship funds target students studying nursing.

“Receiving a scholarship motivates me to not only complete my degree, but to further my education. I look forward to be able to give back to my community once I begin my career in nursing,” said Meghan Rainville, a University of Rhode Island junior who received a Routhier award for this academic year.

A complete list of scholarships, application deadlines and eligibility requirements is posted on the Foundation’s website at www.rifoundation.org.

 The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. In 2014, the Foundation awarded more than $34.8 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information visit www.ri.foundation.org.