Our Scholarship Policies
1. What kinds of scholarships does The College Crusade of Rhode Island offer? Where can they be used?
The College Crusade provides "cash" and "donated" scholarships.
Cash scholarships can be used in Rhode Island at any accredited college, community college or trade school. 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 (members of the Crusade's Scholarship Collaborative) that have agreed to provide scholarships for Crusaders. The current members of our Scholarship Collaborative are:
• Bryant University (Smithfield, R.I.), www.bryant.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 of Rhode Island Scholarship Collaborative donate Crusade Scholarships from their own money. Some schools’ policy is to pay your donated Crusade Scholarship by adding on additional grant money to what they would normally give you. Other schools rename grant awards you would normally receive as a “Crusade Scholarship.”
We have advocated for schools donating scholarships to follow the same policy that we require with our cash scholarships, which is most beneficial to Crusaders. The money for these scholarships comes from the school’s financial aid budget, however. They have been administering their programs for several years and have the right to set their own practices for how the scholarship will be applied. In these cases, we need to adapt to the school’s policy.
2. Will Crusade Scholarships follow a "first" or "last" dollar model?
The College Crusade will provide its cash scholarships on a "last dollar" basis because this provides the greatest benefit to students. This means that you would go through the normal process of applying for financial aid at the school you plan to attend. The school will develop a financial aid package for you – which could have grants, aid from the school you attend, your Expected Family Contribution, loans, need-based work-study and other aid. Often this aid will be less than the total cost of attending the school. This gap is called "unmet need." Crusade cash scholarships could be used to cover this unmet need. They could also help to reduce your loans or your need-based work-study.
3. Who is eligible for Crusade Scholarships?
You are eligible if you:
• Graduated from high school or received a GED, and
• Earned admission to an accredited college, university, community college or trade school or participated in a RI union apprenticeship or industry training program within six years of graduation or receipt of GED
If you graduated from high school prior to August 2008, your eligibility will be different. Please call The College Crusade of Rhode Island scholarship office at (401) 854-5500 ext 123.
4. Do I have to live in Rhode Island to get a scholarship?
You must be a RI resident while in the 12th grade to be considered for a scholarship.
5. What factors are considered in deciding who will receive a Crusade Scholarship?
Many factors are considered to determine if you qualify for the Crusade Scholarship or financial aid in general. The most important factors are:
• Family income and family size
• How many people in your family are in college
• Family savings (and certain other assets)
• The Cost of Attendance used by your school or college
Students need to provide some of this kind of information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for most forms of financial aid. You can get a FAFSA online or through the guidance department at your school. You should file your FASFA as soon as possible after January 1st and, if at all possible, before March 1st of the calendar year in which you will start college. For example, file between January 1st and March 1st, 2011, if you plan to start college in the fall of 2011.
6. What are the financial eligibility guidelines for Crusade Scholarships?
The financial eligibility guidelines for our scholarship are currently being revised by the federal government. We will update our information when the guidelines have been finalized and inform you by mail at that time.
7. 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 everyone uses to apply for federal, state and many private sources of financial aid. Do not complete it before January 1st of the calendar year you will start college.
8. 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 $1,725 per year for a two-year school. If a student does not qualify for a Crusade Scholarship according to their school’s normal policies, the scholarship will not be awarded.
9. Can a Crusade Scholarship be used for other costs besides tuition?
Yes. The Crusade Scholarships 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.
10. Once I have started at school, what do I need to do to keep getting my Crusade Scholarship?
Each school has its own rules about what you need to do to stay in good standing. If you fall below these guidelines, you may not be eligible to get a scholarship until you get your grades up to your school’s standards. You must also fill out the FAFSA each year.
11. 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 Rhode Island or Collaborative school at any time and continue to receive their Crusade Scholarship. A Crusader cannot receive the scholarship for more than a total of eight semesters (or twelve tri-semesters).
12. 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, the Crusade will only pay for one certificate program or one degree.
13. If I enroll in a non-Crusade school and later transfer to a Crusade school, can I still get a scholarship?
Crusaders who graduate from high school or complete a GED have six years to attend a Crusade school, whether they previously enrolled in a non-Crusade school or not.
Note: This document simplifies The College Crusade's Scholarship policies for informational purposes and does not constitute a legal agreement. Revised August 2010.
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