CCRI students earning credits through United Way and VITA partnership
The Community College of Rhode Island announces an expanded partnership with United Way of Rhode Island and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which is offering an opportunity for students to earn college credit while providing a vital service to the local community.
Through this innovative initiative, more than a dozen CCRI students have become IRS-certified tax preparers. Following their certification, the students are now gaining hands-on, professional experience by volunteering at VITA sites across the state, including a dedicated site on CCRI’s Warwick campus. As a result of the rigorous training and community service involved, students are eligible to earn three college credits of tax law, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world career preparation. CCRI integrated the VITA partnership with its ACCT 1500 Personal Income Taxes course, a required class for the college’s business track. The course is also offered to students at large as an elective.
For the community, the partnership expands the reach of free tax preparation services, helping to alleviate the financial burden of filing fees for low- and moderate-income households. By staffing VITA sites with trained student volunteers, CCRI and United Way are ensuring more Rhode Islanders have access to accurate, free, and reliable tax help, states a news release.
Free tax preparation services through VITA are generally available to individuals and families who earned $69,000 or less in 2025. VITA sites are staffed by IRS-certified volunteers who ensure tax filers receive their maximum refund and fast e-filing.
Rhode Islanders looking for help can find their local VITA site or check eligibility by calling 2-1-1. United Way’s 211 helpline is the fastest way to find the nearest tax prep site and schedule an appointment.
A full list of statewide locations and required documentation is available at unitedwayri.org/get-help/tax-prep.