Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association Scholarships Application Guide 2026–2027: Requirements & Deadline (USA)

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Overview

The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association Scholarships are administered by RISAA and the RISA Foundation, a nonprofit representing more than 7,500 recreational anglers and 29 affiliated fishing clubs across the state. The program supports two overlapping goals: helping RISAA member families afford college in general, and specifically growing the next generation of marine scientists and fisheries professionals studying at Rhode Island’s two flagship marine-science schools, the University of Rhode Island (URI) and Roger Williams University (RWU).

Differentiating fact: most third-party scholarship listings describe this as a single $500 marine-science award, but RISAA actually runs four distinct scholarship tracks under one umbrella, awarded each cycle. That distinction matters because one of the four — the Member Scholarship — has nothing to do with marine science at all and is open to any program of study at any college or university, which makes the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association Scholarship eligibility for undergraduate students considerably broader than competing directories suggest.

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Nationality & Residency Requirements

RISAA’s published scholarship criteria do not include a stated US citizenship, green card, or visa-status requirement. Eligibility instead runs on membership or family connection to RISAA (for the Member Scholarship) or on enrollment in a Marine Science or Fisheries program at URI or Roger Williams University (for the other three awards) — not on immigration status. Applicants concerned about how their residency or citizenship situation might be treated should confirm directly with RISAA, since eligibility documentation practices can vary by cycle.

Academic & GPA Eligibility Requirements

There is no published Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association Scholarship GPA requirement listed for any of the four award tracks, though the program’s most competitive award, the Stephen J. Therrien Memorial Scholarship, is explicitly described as merit-based and reserved for students who show “outstanding academic achievement and commitment” beyond simply meeting the baseline criteria.

The four scholarship tracks and their core eligibility rules:

• Member Scholarship — for a RISAA member in good standing, or an immediate family member (including grandchildren and siblings), entering their freshman year. The student may study any program at any college or university, with no marine-science requirement at all.
• Marine / Fisheries Scholarship — for students entering their freshman year at URI or Roger Williams University, pursuing a degree in Fisheries or Marine Science. No RISAA affiliation is required to apply.
• Continuing Education Scholarship — for students entering their second year of study at URI or Roger Williams in a Fisheries or Marine Science program, including students who completed an associate degree and are transferring in as a junior. No RISAA affiliation is required.
• Stephen J. Therrien Memorial Scholarship — a separate $500 merit-based award. Applicants do not apply to this scholarship directly; instead, everyone who applies to the Marine/Fisheries Scholarship or the Continuing Education Scholarship is automatically considered for it.

Application Materials Needed

While RISAA does not publish an exhaustive public checklist, applicants to marine-science-focused scholarship programs of this type should typically be ready to provide:

1. Completed scholarship application for the relevant track (Member, Marine/Fisheries, or Continuing Education).
2. Proof of enrollment or admission at the University of Rhode Island or Roger Williams University, where applicable to the award track.
3. Proof of RISAA membership or immediate family relationship (for the Member Scholarship specifically).
4. Academic transcript demonstrating current standing, particularly important for Therrien Scholarship consideration.
5. Any supporting materials such as a short essay or personal statement, if requested in that year’s specific application instructions.

Step-by-Step How to Apply

1. Identify which of the four scholarship tracks fits your situation — RISAA member/family, incoming marine-science freshman, or continuing marine-science student.
2. Check the RISAA scholarships page for the current cycle’s opening date, since RISAA closes submissions once the annual window ends and reopens for the following academic year.
3. Gather your proof of RISAA membership or family relationship, if applying for the Member Scholarship track.
4. Confirm your enrollment status at URI or Roger Williams University, if applying for the Marine/Fisheries or Continuing Education tracks.
5. Complete and submit the application before the early May deadline — RISAA’s cycles have historically closed in the first two weeks of May.
6. No separate action is needed for Therrien consideration — simply applying to the Marine/Fisheries or Continuing Education Scholarship automatically enters you into the Therrien Memorial Scholarship review.
7. Watch for notification from RISAA or the RISA Foundation after the submission window closes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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