Graduate Aid Resources

The Society of Presidential Fellows program provides full tuition support and professional development opportunities to select graduate students. All applicants admitted into a RISD graduate program for academic year 2024–25 will be considered for the fellowship. Admitted applicants are nominated by their academic department or program. No additional application is required.

Graduate fellowships are awarded by Student Financial Services in conjunction with your academic department. Fellowships may be based on financial need as determined by completion of the FAFSA, completion of our institutional financial aid form, merit or a combination of both (based on departmental preferences).

Typically, fellowships are awarded in equal payments for fall and spring semesters. Payments are applied directly to your tuition account.

Graduate assistantships are awarded during the admissions process via the graduate program to which you applied, as assigned by the graduate program director. Please note that some specific positions may not be assigned until the beginning of each semester.

International students or those without a social security number are not eligibile for an assistantship during the first semester.

GradPLUS loans are intended for graduate students in need of additional resources in order to finance your education. Approval of GradPLUS loans is based in part on the determination that you do not have any adverse credit. Visit the US Department of Education’s Direct Graduate PLUS Loan overview for rates and additional information. 

Interest begins to accrue at time of disbursement. Repayment begins six months after graduation or when a you have stopped attending school at least half-time. For additional information, including rates, please see the US Department of Education FAQ overview of subsidized and unsubsidized loans.

All borrowers need to complete a Master Promissory Note with the Direct Loan Program. If you are a first-time borrower at RISD, you will need to complete a loan entrance counseling session even if you have borrowed at a previous institution.

You can complete both steps via the Federal Student Aid Office.

Credible provides borrowers with competitive, personalized loan offers from multiple vetted lenders in real time without impacting the borrower’s credit. It is not a lender or a bank. Rather, Credible partners with a number of leading lenders to offer options that best fit the needs of the student and allows students to analyze prequalified rates, terms and eligibility rules side by side.

Go to Credible

ELMSelect lets you compare loans and select the one that best suits student needs. With ELMSelect, you can view, filter and compare private student loan options from lenders included on RISD’s lender list.

Go to ELMSelect