Student Success
RISD students dream about finding a creative home long before they arrive on campus. Your gift can help make their dreams come true.
Join us in our commitment to put a RISD education within reach for all students.
Scholarships, fellowships and funds
Scholarships and fellowships provide essential support that makes RISD possible for students with limited financial resources. But to make RISD accessible to the most talented students no matter their economic means, we also must commit to increasing our financial aid resources.
We want students to have every chance to succeed once they arrive on campus. This means providing funding so they can purchase necessary materials, take advantage of unpaid internships and learn from faculty and international artisans via RISD Global travel courses.
We invite you to help make our students’ dreams become reality by supporting any of the programs below.
Scholarships
Scholarships help the most talented undergraduates afford RISD. With financial aid support, emerging artists, designers and innovators can envision a future of their own making without incurring untenable levels of debt.
RISD Scholars
Unlike endowed funds which rely on income distribution, the RISD Scholars program is distinct because support for financial aid comes at a predictable level over three or more years and is made available as soon as it is received.
Generous donors who participate in the program make commitments of $30,000 or more paid over three or more years to provide direct, immediate financial aid that offsets a particular student’s tuition over the course of their college career. In doing so, donors also become members of RISD’s 1877 Society and Centennial Society. Supporters learn about RISD Scholars as the students move through their academic careers, and when possible, gather with RISD Scholars for the annual Celebration of Scholarships in the spring.
RISD Scholars, At a Glance:
- The RISD Scholars program was established in 2012
- Participation requires a commitment of $30,000 or more paid over three or more years to the RISD Fund
- Gifts meet the financial needs of one or more undergraduate students, proportionate to the size of the gift.
- While gifts of this size do not allow donors to state certain preferences for the scholarship recipient, such as major or geographic region, their support will be designated to a deserving student.
- Donors have the opportunity to hear from their student and meet them at the annual Celebration of Scholarships in May or other on-campus opportunities.
If you’d like to learn more about RISD Scholars and inquire about making a gift, please contact Sarah Caggiano, executive director, RISD Fund at scaggian@risd.edu or 401 454-6799
Fellowships
Fellowships support graduate students by covering the full cost of tuition, room and board and other expenses. By eliminating the need to secure loans, work-study or other types of funding, fellowships help recipients focus on learning and making throughout their RISD education.
Social Justice and Equity Fund
The Social Justice and Equity Fund helps students with demonstrated need acquire the materials they need to complete studio projects, expand their creative horizons through RISD Global experiences and gain valuable professional experience through internships. In doing so, these funds let students pursue their goals without needing to navigate financial constraints.
Student Opportunity Fund
The Student Opportunity Fund supports high-need college students, beyond what scholarships can offer, to offset tuition, housing and dining costs. In doing so, it greatly reduces the challenge of paying for essentials related to their academic work and career development.
This fund supports students in:
- purchasing books and materials for making.
- traveling for research or interview opportunities.
- buying technology necessary for their creative work.
- meeting other essential expenses.
In all, Student Opportunity funds empower students to fully engage in their RISD educational experience and prepare to launch their creative careers.
Get in touch
Please call toll-free 844 454-1877 or send us an email for more information about how you can support RISD’s talented students.
Other opportunities to give
Provide the critical support RISD needs to continue offering students a world-class education.
Support the extraordinary teachers and makers who are shaping RISD’s next generation of artists and designers.
Build the best environment for learning and making by investing in RISD’s studio, classroom, gathering and living spaces.