Welcome to The College Crusade of Rhode Island

Building a college-going culture for RI's urban students

The College Crusade of Rhode Island is an innovative nonprofit organization founded in 1989 to reduce high school dropout rates and increase educational and career success for low-income urban youth. Each year we serve approximately 3,500 Crusaders from Rhode Island’s most economically disadvantaged families in Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Woonsocket, and Cranston. We combine the steady, nurturing presence of caring adults with a rich array of programs that focus on academic enrichment, social and personal development, career awareness and exploration, and preparation for postsecondary education. Students who are members of The College Crusade go on to college at much higher rates than other students in the state’s urban school districts. Since 2001, we have awarded over $23 million in college scholarships to more than 3,000 high school graduates.

The College Crusade is funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s GEAR UP program, by the State of Rhode Island, and by private corporations, foundations, and individuals.

Are you the parent of a 5th or 6th grader? Applications for fall 2012 are now available! Click here to learn more.

To see what Crusaders are doing this spring, click here.