RI
Rhode Island Senate Bill S0653

Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S0653

Introduced
3/7/25  
Refer
3/7/25  
Report Pass
6/5/25  

Caption

Requires any remaining funds in the enacted budget from the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship program or the Rhode Island Hope Scholarship program to be reimbursed to the onward we learn for any scholarships paid on behalf of Rhode Island College students.

Impact

This bill is expected to streamline the funding process for scholarships, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently within the educational framework of the state. By allowing the Onward We Learn scholarship program to access remaining funds from the Rhode Island Promise and Hope scholarship programs, the bill aims to bolster support for Rhode Island College students. This change could positively influence enrollment and retention rates by providing necessary financial assistance, particularly in challenging economic times.

Summary

Bill S0653, also known as the Onward We Learn Scholarship Act, aims to ensure the proper allocation of remaining funds from the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship program and the Rhode Island Hope Scholarship program. Specifically, the bill mandates that any unutilized funds from these programs after the fulfillment of eligible scholarships are to be reimbursed to the Onward We Learn program for scholarships that it has disbursed for students attending Rhode Island College. This measure intends to enhance the financial support available for students pursuing higher education in Rhode Island.

Contention

Discussions surrounding S0653 may involve considerations about the equity of funding distribution among various scholarship programs. Some stakeholders might raise concerns that directing remaining funds specifically to one program could disadvantage other scholarship initiatives. Furthermore, this bill touches on broader themes of education funding priorities, as it raises questions about the allocation of state resources and how best to support students in higher education across Rhode Island.

Latest S0653 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI H5099

Rhode Island Hope Scholarship Pilot Program Act

RI S0077

Rhode Island Hope Scholarship Pilot Program Act

RI S0274

Rhode Island Promise Scholarship

RI H5791

Rhode Island Promise Scholarship

RI S0242

Rhode Island Promise Scholarship

RI H7670

Changes the name of The College Crusade Scholarship to the Onward We Learn Scholarship and provide that those scholarships would not be considered federal or financial aid with regard to the Promise Scholarship or Hope Scholarship Pilot Program.

RI S2559

Changes the name of The College Crusade Scholarship to the Onward We Learn Scholarship and provide that those scholarships would not be considered federal or financial aid with regard to the Promise Scholarship or Hope Scholarship Pilot Program.

RI H5320

Rhode Island Department Of Children, Youth And Families Scholarship Program

RI H8099

Extends the time for which a student may enroll in the community college of Rhode Island Promise Scholarship program to one year after the student's high school graduation.

RI H8108

Extends the sunset date of the Rhode Island hope scholarship pilot program from 2028 to 2030, in order to allow the program to provide eligible students with funding for tuition and mandatory fees for an additional two (2) years.

Similar Bills

UT HB0398

Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments

UT SB0107

Education Scholarship Amendments

UT SB0062

Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments

CA AB2480

Income taxes: credit: Scholarship Tax Credit Program Act.

AL HB442

To create the Alabama Fits All Scholarship Program; require the State Board of Education to contract with a program manager to administer the program; to authorize the program manager to establish scholarship accounts on behalf of eligible students; to prohibit a program manager from accepting scholarship funds in certain circumstances; to require fiscal safeguards and accountability measures; to require eligible schools and service providers to meet certain standards to be eligible to receive scholarship funds; to authorize the program manager to distribute scholarship funds; to require the State Board of Education to provide limited oversight of the program manager, including an appeal process for the program manager's administrative decisions; to prohibit certain regulations of eligible schools and eligible service providers; to require criminal history background information checks for employees and officers of a program manager; to provide for program funding; and to require the program manager and the board to submit reports on the program to the Legislature.

MS HB747

Mississippi Scholarship Act; create to provide scholarships to K-12 public school students.

MS HB874

Mississippi Scholarship Act; create to provide scholarships to K-12 public school students.

UT HB0529

Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Amendments