McNamara’s Hope Scholarship Program would open doors to higher education for many Rhode Islanders

 

STATE HOUSE — In an effort to make higher education accessible to more Rhode Islanders, Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) has introduced the Rhode Island Hope Scholarship Pilot Program Act.

The purpose of the scholarship legislation (2023-H 5009) would be to increase the number of students enrolling in and obtaining degrees in a timely fashion from Rhode Island College and to promote more graduates in high-need fields and the trades.

Touting it as a workforce development bill, Representative McNamara, who chairs the House Education Committee, said, “Seven out of 10 jobs in the future are going to require a postsecondary credential. In Rhode Island, critical professions such as nursing, teaching and social work are experiencing shortages that will have a profound impact on our state.”

The Hope Scholarship would provide the cost of two years of tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students during their junior and senior years at Rhode Island College.

“This scholarship will help students at a critical point in their college careers, when they typically begin to get frustrated and stressed,” said Representative McNamara. “Between their junior and senior years is when students tend to become overwhelmed with working and paying for college and they could use the assistance. Many Rhode Island College students utilize Pell grants, which are considered the foundation of a student’s financial aid package. This scholarship would make up the difference, assist students who are under a mountain of debt, and throw a lifeline to Rhode Island College.”

The act would include detailed eligibility requirements for students as well as reporting and disbursement requirements. Applicants would have to qualify for in-state tuition and fees; be currently enrolled as a full-time student who has declared a major; enroll or have enrolled full-time as a freshman as a first-time student and continue to be enrolled on a full-time basis at Rhode Island College; maintain an average annual cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater; remain on track to graduate on time; and commit to live, work or continue their education in Rhode Island after graduation.

In addition, the act would permit charitable donations to the scholarship program as well as an annual appropriation by the General Assembly.

The bill, which is cosponsored by Representatives Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence), Nathan W. Biah (D-Dist. 3, Providence), Susan Donovan (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth), Enrique G. Sanchez (D-Dist. 9, Providence), Mary Ann Shallcross Smith (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket), Michelle E. McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton) and Leonela “Leo” Felix (D-Dist. 61, Pawtucket), has been referred to the House Finance Committee. Similar legislation (2023-S 0077) has been introduced in the Senate by Senate Majority Leader Ryan W. Pearson (D-Dist. 19, Cumberland, Lincoln).                                                  

 

 

The White House says it's unacceptable for members of Congress to say there's nothing they can do to curb gun violence following Monday's deadly school shooting in Nashville. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Wednesday called on Republicans to, as she put it, "show some courage" and pass an assault weapons ban. She argued that a ban that was in effect from 1994 to 2004 saved lives.        The Vatican says Pope Francis spent a peaceful night in a Rome hospital being treated for a respiratory infection. A Vatican spokesman says the 86-year-old pope was hospitalized on Wednesday after complaining of breathing difficulties.        An investigation is underway after two military helicopters crashed Wednesday night in Trigg County, Kentucky. Officials say it happened around 10 p.m. during a routine training mission near Fort Campbell. There's no word on the status of those onboard the Blackhawk choppers.        An American journalist reportedly is under arrest on spying charges in Russia. State-run Russian news agencies are reporting that authorities detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in a Ural [[ YER-ul ]] Mountains city about 900 miles east of Moscow. The country's main security agency says Gershkovich is being held on suspicion of "espionage in the interests of the American government."        Elon Musk has the most followers on Twitter. Guinness World Records says the Twitter CEO now has more than 133-million followers, passing former President Barack Obama, who had held the record since 2020.        "Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Amongst Thieves" is projected to bank between 30 and 40-million-dollars in its opening weekend at the North American box office. The film stars Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Sophia Lillis, Justice Smith, and Hugh Grant.