Gov. McKee signs legislation making Promise scholarship permanent at CCRI
May 28, 2021
Governor Dan McKee, joined by Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi,
Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, Commissioner on Postsecondary Education Shannon
Gilkey Ed.D., and Community College of Rhode Island President Meghan Hughes today
signed into law legislation (2021-H 5224A, 2021-H 0097A) which makes the Rhode Island Promise program permanent.
The bill-signing took place at CCRI’s Knight Campus. David Mota, a CCRI graduate who
benefitted from Rhode Island Promise, shared his story about what the program meant
to him.
“Signing this bill into law marks a significant investment in affordable, accessible
higher education for Rhode Island students,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Rhode Island
Promise has helped remove barriers many of our students face in seeking higher education,
and encourages them to maintain good academic standing. Access to quality higher education
supports our economy and our workforce, and enriches the lives of so many who call
Rhode Island home. I thank Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Ruggerio for championing
this bill and making it a priority this legislative session.”
The program, originally set to expire with the high school graduating class of 2021,
provides up to two years of free tuition for eligible graduating high school seniors
who begin classes at CCRI the following fall. To benefit from the scholarship, students
must be full-time students who qualify for in-state tuition, and they must maintain
at least a 2.5 GPA and remain on track to graduate from CCRI on time.
“I want to express my gratitude to Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Ruggerio
for their leadership,” said Lt. Governor Sabina Matos. “The College Promise program
allows an opportunity for our state’s residents to gain access to a quality education
and to further their goals. I’m glad to see this program will continue to benefit
future generations of learners.”
“The Promise program is an excellent example of how we can prioritize affordable college
options for all Rhode Islanders. The best investment we can make to help individuals
achieve their goals is to give them the access to a college education, which is the
pathway to a brighter future,” said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23,
Warwick), bill sponsor.
“Rhode Island, the nation and the world are increasingly knowledge economies. Higher
education is more necessary than ever before, and it has to be available and affordable
for all Rhode Islanders. Rhode Island Promise has proven itself effective, significantly
improving two-year graduation rates for students. Removing barriers to higher education,
particularly its high cost, supports families, helps Rhode Islanders land better jobs,
makes our workforce more attractive to employers and strengthens our economy. Rhode
Island Promise is a great program that has proven itself effective, and we strongly
support making it a permanent resource for students,” said Senate President Dominick
J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence), bill sponsor.
“On behalf of the faculty, staff and Rhode Island Promise students, we are incredibly
grateful to Governor McKee, Speaker Shekarchi, Senate President Ruggerio, and the
members of the House and Senate for making the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship program
permanent, and with it, access to higher education a reality for thousands of Rhode
Island families,” said CCRI President Meghan Hughes. “Thanks to the Rhode Island Promise
Scholarship program, many more Rhode Islanders are going to college, graduating, and
either continuing with their education or entering the workforce with the skills and
talent needed to earn a family-sustaining wage. The program is a sound investment
in our state’s economic future and provides our students with the opportunity to succeed.
I believe now, more than ever, Rhode Island families need the security of knowing
that, no matter their economic situation, their children have a path forward to a
quality degree and, with it, a brighter future.”
During the first two years of the Rhode Island Promise Program, between 2016 and 2018,
the college-going rate increased 8 percentage points, from 59 percent to 67 percent.
That data demonstrates that more Rhode Island high school graduates are taking advantage
of the scholarship and are going to college.
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