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House Finance hears advocates and college leaders urge making HOPE Scholarship permanent
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Summary
Witnesses and college officials told House Finance the HOPE Scholarship has increased retention and graduation at Rhode Island colleges and urged the panel to make the pilot permanent; staff acknowledged early positive indicators but noted the legislatively required evaluation is due in 2030.
The House Finance Committee on Wednesday heard broad support from campus leaders, students and unions for making the HOPE Scholarship permanent — a pilot program first enacted in 2023 that provides completion-focused aid to students in their third and fourth years.
Shannon Gilkey, commissioner for postsecondary education, framed HOPE as an affordability tool that helps students finish degrees and supports workforce goals. She said the state has invested in student aid and complementary programs and noted early indicators the scholarship is improving on-time graduation rates.
Rhode Island College presented quantitative early outcomes: "In fiscal year 2024, 357 students qualified and received the HOPE scholarship. By fiscal 26 this year, we have 566 students... We are anticipating 785 students will receive the hope scholarship in 2027," Anastasia Rodriguez told the committee, and she linked HOPE to RIC’s recent enrollment and graduation gains.
Commissioner Gilkey and witnesses referenced national research on “undermatching” (student migration between institutions when affordability mechanisms change) but emphasized long-term studies show affordability programs increase access without producing lasting negative effects across institution types. Committee members flagged a timing issue: the law requires a final evaluation of the pilot by July 1, 2030, yet the administration’s budget proposes permanency before that review is completed.
Student and labor witnesses made the program’s effects concrete. Connor O’Neil, a RIC student, described HOPE as decisive for his ability to return to school after illness; Marybeth Calabro of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals urged permanency citing improved retention and on-time graduation among recipients.
Administration and campus officials agreed the program’s fiscal footprint has grown since the pilot began (staff cited FY24 cost of about $2.2 million and a projected FY27 figure near $7 million) and that the long-term impacts should be monitored. The committee requested follow-up materials on projected participation and budget effects as it continues deliberations.
