Providence Public Schools Announces 2025 Edward Hickling Bradford Scholarship
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$1100 Scholarship Supports Providence Public School Students With Significant
Financial Needs Attend College
The Providence Public School District (PPSD) in collaboration with the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), and the City of Providence today announced that the 2025 Edward Hickling Bradford Scholarship application is now live and available for eligible PPSD seniors. With the help of the scholarship, which is made possible with the Bradford Trust, Providence students who demonstrate significant financial need will have support to attend college. The award this year has increased to $1100.
In 2024, the Bradford Scholarship awarded 88 Providence students with a total of $66,000.00 in support. The scholarships were awarded to students from 11 high schools including 360 (9 awards), Alvarez (1 awards), Central (10 awards) Classical (6 awards), E-Cubed (9 awards), Hope (6 awards) JSEC (13 awards), Mount Pleasant (16 awards), PCTA (5 awards), Times 2 (12 awards) and the MET School (1 award).
“College affordability continues to present a challenge for Providence families and the Bradford Scholarship aims to help provide some relief,” said RIDE Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “Whether its college or career, we want students to have the right support and resources to succeed. We encourage all Providence students to consider applying for the Bradford Scholarship.”
“By supporting our students and providing them with the tools they need to succeed, we strengthen our workforce, our communities and the future of Providence,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “The Bradford Scholarship has played a vital role in making higher education more accessible for Providence students, providing critical support to those who need it most. We thank the Bradford family for their continued generosity and commitment to our students.”
“All students should have the opportunity to attend college, and obtain a college degree, regardless of their families’ income,” said Providence Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez. “We are grateful to The Edward Hickling Bradford Scholarship for helping students get one step closer to their college diploma.”
In alignment with the view that all students should have the opportunity to attend college, regardless of their families’ income, the Bradford Trust was established in Mr. Edward Hickling Bradford’s honor to help Providence public school students pursue a college diploma.
In order to be eligible for the $1,100 scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:
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Must be a current student living in and attending a public school in Providence, or have graduated from a public school in Providence while residing in the city. Qualifying public schools include those in PPSD, public charter schools, and all other public schools as recognized by RIDE.
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If one is a current senior attending a Providence Public School:
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Must provide proof of acceptance for an associate’s, bachelor’s degree or technical program at an accredited institution of higher education.’
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Must demonstrate a significant financial need through an SAI (student aid index) of $7,500 or less as indicated by FAFSA completion.
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Must demonstrate an involvement in extracurricular/community involvement.
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If one is a current student attending a higher education program:
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Must provide proof of enrollment in an associate’s, bachelor’s degree or technical program at an accredited institution of higher education.
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Must demonstrate a significant financial need through an SAI (student aid index) of $7,500 or less as indicated by FAFSA completion.
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Must demonstrate an involvement in extracurricular/community involvement.
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In order to be considered for the scholarship, students must complete and submit the online form by 11:59 p.m. on April 25. Information about the scholarship can be found at www.providenceschools.org/bradford. Students may receive the Bradford Scholarship no more than twice and complete applications online at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfa_9hWyQwZkLKdSFfKQfLRReZA26MpxJIMlSnxOYrOUcdBww/viewform
