At the time of year when colleges are sending out financial aid packages, the Rhode Island Foundation is offering students and their families more than $1.8 million in scholarships.

Dozens of individual, family and organizational donors established scholarship funds at the Foundation to help students defray educational expenses such as tuition, room and board, fees and books.

“Each one of these scholarships turns dreams into reality for our donors and our recipients,” Neil Steinberg, the Foundation’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “The impact of their generosity will ripple through the community for generations.”

The Foundation expects to help hundreds of students with financial aid. In addition to general scholarship assistance, some funds target specific geographic areas such as Cranston and Warwick.

 The Cataract Fire Company #2 Scholarship, Marissa Salabert Memorial Scholarship Fund, TGHS ’82 Renee Tetreault Newell 9/11 Scholarship and the Daniel Brian Cohen Scholarship are among the awards available to Warwick residents.

“Knowing that your organization cares about my education and supports my aspirations is a huge motivation. I would like to contribute to the positive representation of women in the media. Your assistance encourages me to continue working hard to achieve my goal,” said Warwick resident Dera Silvestre, a sophomore communications major at Boston University.

The Ralph C. and Joyce L. Vossler Fund and Brian Moretti Scholarship Fund are for Cranston High School West graduates, while the Holly Charette Scholarship and Agnes Meade Tramonti Memorial Scholarship go to Cranston High School East students.

The Foundation also offers assistance based on area of study, family income or special circumstance. The Edward and Virginia Routhier Fund targets nursing majors while the Melvin and Patty Alperin First Generation Scholarship is earmarked for high school seniors whose parents did not graduate from college.

A complete list of scholarships, application deadlines and eligibility requirements is posted on the Foundation’s website at www.rifoundation.org.