The following information is provided as a resource to guide your considerations about financing your education.

Estimated cost of attendance

RISD’s 2019–20 tuition is $51,800 for both undergrads and graduate students, with a student activities fee of $260 and an academic and technology fee of $800. The cost of attendance for any college is based on tuition and required fees (costs that are billed to you directly) plus estimated costs for room and/or rent, board and/or food, supplies, personal expenses and transportation (indirect, variable costs). RISD’s 2019–20 COA for undergraduate students is $72,780. You'll find more detailed information on RISD's main website.

Applying for financial aid

In order to determine eligibility for any type of financial aid, first-year applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Profile application. You'll find more detailed information about deadlines and requirements on RISD's main website.

If you have any questions about financing your education, Student Financial Services can be reached at 401 454-6661 or sfs@risd.edu.

Applicants to the Dual Degree Program must submit financial aid applications to both the RISD Student Financial Services Office and Brown University Financial Aid and follow the guidelines provided on each institution’s website. Given that students will be admitted through procedures in place at both institutions, financial aid will be made with respect to formulas operating at both. Should a student be rejected as a Dual Degree student, or choose to attend only one of the two institutions, he or she will receive the financial aid package offered by that institution. Financial aid for students admitted into the Dual Degree Program will be calculated according to the Brown formula.

Information Technology Services (ITS) partners with members of the RISD community to power creativity by contributing valuable technical services and solutions. As a student you'll use various information technologies on campus including email, the Housing Portal, Student Planning (registration) and WebAdvisor (grades).

ITS Service Desk

RISD’s ITS Service Desk is the community’s first point of contact to request or inquire about information technology services and support. The Service Desk provides responsive technical support to the RISD community.

Activating your network account

Following receipt of your enrollment deposit, RISD will activate a network account that will provide you with a single user name and password to access a wide variety of RISD resources and support including access to email, network storage and WebAdvisor (student information). Check your personal email to obtain your RISD Account username and password.

Buying a computer

Open-access and department-specific computer labs are available for student use throughout campus. However, most students find that having their own computer is more convenient than relying on departmental and open-access lab computers. Before purchasing a computer please review the minimum requirements.

Laptop Program

The following academic majors require students to have department-specific laptop hardware and software tools used extensively within the departmental curriculum:

• Architecture
• Furniture Design
• Graphic Design
• Industrial Design
• Interior Architecture
• Photography

My RISD

My RISD is a mobile and desktop app that makes it easier for you to access campus services and resources like the campus maps, calendars, dining, schedules, printing, RISD Rides and more.

For mobile devices, download "My RISD" app from the Apple and Google Play stores. If you'd like to access My RISD using your desktop, go to my.risd.edu. Be sure to select the "student" persona.

Questions? Here's some additional information to help you navigate the My RISD app.

Unless required to participate in the RISD Laptop Program, students should follow the Brown computer purchase policy.

RISD's Information Technology Services

Information Technology Services (ITS) partners with members of the RISD community to power creativity by contributing valuable technical services and solutions. As a student you'll use various information technologies on campus including email, the Housing Portal, Student Planning (registration) and WebAdvisor (grades).

ITS Service Desk

RISD’s ITS Service Desk is the community’s first point of contact to request or inquire about information technology services and support. The Service Desk provides responsive technical support to the RISD community.

Activating your network account

RISD will activate a network account that will provide you with a single user name and password to access a wide variety of RISD resources and support including access to email, network storage and WebAdvisor (student information). Check your personal email to obtain your RISD Account username and password.

Buying a computer

Open-access and department-specific computer labs are available for student use throughout campus. However, most students find that having their own computer is more convenient than relying on departmental and open-access lab computers. Before purchasing a computer please review the minimum requirements.

Laptop Program

The following academic majors require students to have department-specific laptop hardware and software tools used extensively within the departmental curriculum:

• Architecture
• Furniture Design
• Graphic Design
• Industrial Design
• Interior Architecture
• Photography

Brown|RISD Dual Degree students are required to be on RISD’s Foundation meal plan and will automatically have 70 dining points on their Brown ID card to spend at Brown dining facilities.

RISD's Foundation plan provides unlimited meal swipes to The Met. Located in the primary residential quad, it is the largest dining hall on campus, with menus that change daily and offer a wide selection of freshly prepared items—including traditional, vegetarian and vegan options. Students also appreciate The Met’s grill, artisan pizza oven, salad bar and deli, along with freshly made desserts and house-made sushi.

On the Foundation plan students may choose to use one meal swipe per day at any of the following locations:

For a more bistro-style experience, Portfolio Café (adjacent to the Fleet Library at 15 West) is a great place to meet friends and dine on varied and ethnically inspired cuisine.

Watermark Café (conveniently located in the risd:store) offers an intimate setting for fresh salads, smoothies, burritos, specialty beverages and other items made from local ingredients.

Located near the homes for Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Industrial Design on South Main Street, Jolly Roger Deli features gourmet sandwiches.

Carr Haus Café, a centrally located student-run café, serves coffee and snacks.

Café Pearl, located in the RISD Museum, is a beautiful location serving coffee and snacks (though it does not accept meal plans or risdbucks).

They may also purchase items using their dining points. Students on the Foundation plan receive a total of $500 dining points per year. Other benefits include 6 guest meals per year (3 per semester), two free exchangeable to-go (Ozzi) containers per year, and a complimentary celebration cake for birthdays or other celebrations.

If you have any questions, RISD Dining + Catering can be reached at 401 454-6360.

All first-year students participate in the Foundation plan. This plan provides unlimited meal swipes to The Met. Located in the primary residential quad, it is the largest dining hall on campus, with menus that change daily and offer a wide selection of freshly prepared items—including traditional, vegetarian and vegan options.

On the Foundation plan you may choose to use one meal swipe per day at any of the following locations:

• Portfolio Café (adjacent to the Fleet Library at 15 West)
• Watermark Café (located in the risd:store)
• Jolly Roger Deli (located on South Main Street)

Students using the Foundation plan receive a total of $500 dining points per year. You may use them at all of the RISD Dining locations as well as at the Carr Haus Café (a student-run café, located next to the Waterman Buildings).

Other benefits include 6 guest meals per year (3 per semester), two free exchangeable to-go (Ozzi) containers per year, and a complimentary celebration cake for birthdays or other celebrations.

If you have any questions, RISD Dining + Catering can be reached at 401 454-6360.

Transfer students are required to have a meal plan if they choose to live on campus. The meal plan options available are generally based on the on campus housing type selected.

If you have any questions, RISD Dining + Catering can be reached at 401 454-6360.

If you are an incoming international student, RISD’s Office of International Student Services (OISS) offers support and services with immigration compliance, cultural and language adjustment and navigating United States systems. Check out OISS’s Coming to RISD guide for general information regarding visas and relocation as well as up-to-date information on U.S. travel restrictions.