Thomas F. Black Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Rhode Island Bar Association

The Rhode Island Bar Foundation’s Thomas F. Black, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1989 to support and foster high legal practice standards by assisting Rhode Island residents who show promise that they will become outstanding lawyers and who need financial assistance to study law. The Scholarship is in honor of the late Thomas F. Black, Jr., a person known for his impressive ability as a lawyer and banker, his deeply rooted legal scholarship and his notable participation in civic and charitable causes.

The Patrice A. Tarantino Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2022 by former Bar Foundation President John A. Tarantino in memory of his late wife, Pat. According to attorney Tarantino, “Pat worked as a teacher to provide us with income while I attended law school.  Without her financial contributions, support, sacrifices and love I would not have able to go to and get through law school. This scholarship will help law students who need financial assistance to one day become outstanding lawyers.” The Scholarship is an amazing and lasting tribute to Pat’s memory.

In January of 2024, the Rhode Island Bar Foundation will be accepting applications for the Thomas F. Black, Jr. and Patrice A. Tarantino Memorial Scholarships of the Rhode Island Bar Foundation for academic year 2024-2025. The scholarships are a one-year, non-renewable award, for full-time students who are Rhode Island residents who will be entering their first year of law school in September 2024. For academic year 2024-2025, the Foundation intends to award scholarship awards in the amount of $25,000 each. The deadline for submitting the application is March 31, 2024.