RI · State Money Page
Rhode Island Tax Credits for Scholarship Organizations Guide 2026–2027
Rhode Island's small tax-credit scholarship program funds private-school tuition for low-income students.
At a glance
Amount per student
≈$5,400
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Application window
Spring
See official program page
Status
Active
Enacted 2006
Program Type
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Status
Active
Award Amount
≈$5,400
Enacted
2006
Administrator
Rhode Island Division of Taxation
Application Window
Spring
Eligibility
Income-eligible students under 250% poverty.
What the money can be used for
- Tuition
See our full eligible-expenses guide for the gray areas (technology caps, transportation, religious instruction, family-member compensation).
How to apply
- Confirm eligibility. Income-eligible students under 250% poverty.
- Gather documents. Proof of residency, the student’s birth certificate, the prior-year tax return (where income matters), and any IEP or 504 documentation.
- Open the application. Rhode Island Division of Taxation runs the program; applications typically open spring.
- Submit early. Universal programs with appropriation caps reward applications during the priority window.
- Pick approved providers. Browse our provider directory and the state’s official approved-provider list for participating schools, tutors, and therapists.
Curriculum & classes parents buy with Rhode Island funds
Most ESA-friendly curriculum and live-class platforms — Time4Learning, Outschool, BJU Press, Khan Academy, AoPS — are on multiple state approved-provider lists. See our curriculum guide for the picks by subject and learning style, and verify each item with the Rhode Island administrator before purchasing.
Editorial notes
Rhode Island’s program was enacted in 2006. Award amounts and eligibility thresholds are reviewed each legislative session; we re-verify each state page on a rolling cadence and date-stamp the last review. See our methodology page for details. The final word on eligibility, deadlines, and approved providers is always the state administrator — verify with the Rhode Island Division of Taxation before spending.
Get Rhode Island updates by email
Monthly digest of Rhode Island application-window reminders, eligibility changes, and approved-provider updates.
Last verified May 15, 2026 by The School Choice Index Editorial Team. Not legal, tax, or financial advice — verify with Rhode Island Division of Taxation before applying or spending.