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H 7811Higher Education

Making an Appropriation of $500,000 to Onward We Learn in Support of Rhode Island Gear Up

Appropriates $500,000 to Onward We Learn to support the RI GEAR UP college readiness and scholarship program for first-generation students.

Held for study
Population
Affected
35
Email Legislator
Introduced Feb 12, 2026Committee House Finance

Plain-English Summary

This joint resolution appropriates $500,000 from the Rhode Island general treasury for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support 'Onward We Learn' and the Rhode Island GEAR UP program. The funds will be used to sustain programmatic operations and provide scholarships for participating students across the state.

The Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner receives federal funding for the GEAR UP program from the U.S. Department of Education, which requires a dollar-for-dollar non-federal match. Onward We Learn, acting as the sub-grantee, focuses on preparing middle and high school students to become the first in their families to attend and complete college. The program provides academic enrichment, career education, and post-secondary preparation.

In addition to college access programming, participating students receive scholarships of up to $4,500 per year for four years to attend higher education institutions in Rhode Island. This appropriation helps fulfill the state's statutory commitment to support the program's maintenance, reduces the higher education cost burden for students, and secures the necessary federal matching funds.

For younger readers

This bill gives $500,000 to a program called Onward We Learn. This program helps middle and high school students get ready for college, especially if they are the first in their family to go. It also helps pay for their college scholarships.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Middle and high school studentsFirst-generation college studentsOnward We Learn staff and administratorsRhode Island higher education institutions

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Low. This is a standard legislative appropriation of funds from the general treasury for a specific educational program.

Estimated cost
$500,000
Estimated revenue
Not specified (but unlocks federal matching funds)

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Supports first-generation and low-income students in accessing higher education
  • Invests in public education and long-term social mobility
  • Helps secure federal matching funds, maximizing the impact of state dollars
  • Provides direct financial assistance through scholarships to reduce student debt
  • Some might argue the $500,000 amount is insufficient given the high and rising costs of college tuition
  • Relies on a non-profit organization rather than directly funding public school counseling departments
  • Scholarships are limited to institutions within Rhode Island, which may restrict student choice
For Conservatives
  • Develops the state's workforce and supports continued economic development
  • Leverages federal funds through a required dollar-for-dollar match, ensuring a good return on state investment
  • Funds a program with a proven track record, as independent research shows a 48% higher likelihood of degree attainment for participants
  • Encourages students to stay in Rhode Island for their higher education
  • Increases state spending by $500,000 for the fiscal year
  • Uses taxpayer money to fund a specific non-profit organization rather than broad-based tax relief
  • May be seen as subsidizing higher education costs rather than addressing the root causes of tuition inflation

Votes

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Full Bill Text

WHEREAS, Prior legislative findings in Chapter 70 of title 16 of the Rhode Island General Laws outline the need for Rhode Island to invest in college access and success programs that develop the educational and career and technical skills of its students for its continued economic development, prosperity, and for maintaining and improving its quality of life; and

WHEREAS, The present and future workforce requires ever higher levels of educational and career and technical training in order to improve the economic prosperity of our State and Nation; and the cost is a known barrier for all young people in Rhode Island to access higher education; and

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner is the recipient of the Rhode Island GEAR UP grant from the U.S. Department of Education and partners with Onward We Learn to design and deliver all programmatic and scholarship operations in conjunction with the Rhode Island GEAR UP program; and

WHEREAS, Onward We Learn’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people in Rhode Island to become the first in their families to attend and complete college by participating in a comprehensive set of programs throughout middle school and high school that focus on academic enrichment, social and emotional development, career education, and post-secondary preparation; and

WHEREAS, Independent research completed over the past seventeen (17) years confirms that students who participate in Onward We Learn are forty-eight percent (48%) more likely to earn a college degree compared to their closely matched peers; and

WHEREAS, Onward We Learn students not only receive comprehensive college access and success programming through the Rhode Island GEAR UP program, but also a scholarship for postsecondary education of up to four thousand five hundred dollars ($4,500) per year for four

(4) years which can be redeemed at any institution of higher education in Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, Onward We Learn – via the Rhode Island GEAR UP program – has provided more than fifty-five million dollars ($55,000,000) in scholarships to an estimated thirteen thousand five hundred (13,500) young people in Rhode Island – increasing the likelihood of degree attainment, while reducing each student’s overall higher education cost burden; and

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Office of Postsecondary Commissioner received a seven

(7) year federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education in 2024 and has sub-granted the funds to Onward We Learn; and

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island GEAR UP grant has a dollar-for-dollar non-federal match requirement and Rhode Island General Law § 16-70-5 states that “the general assembly shall annually appropriate such sums as it deems necessary as the state’s share for the support and maintenance of Onward We Learn”; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2026-2027, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to Onward We Learn in support of the Rhode Island GEAR UP operations and scholarship program; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw their orders upon the general treasurer for payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers. EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF JOINTRESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,0 TO ONWARD WE LEARN IN SUPPORT OF RHODE ISLAND GEAR UP *** This resolution would appropriate the sum of $500,000 to Onward We Learn in support of Rhode Island GEAR UP.