R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-3-40.1
Educational benefits supported by state funds shall be limited in the aggregate to the amount hereafter appropriated, or as much thereof as the general assembly may annually appropriate, and distribution of funds in support of educational benefits for national guard members shall be made to any college or university in Rhode Island by the adjutant general on behalf of eligible members on the basis of order of dates in which benefit applications are received in the office of the adjutant general. To carry out the provisions of this section and § 30-3-40, the general assembly shall annually appropriate the sum of thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000) and the state controller is hereby authorized to draw his or her orders upon the state treasurer for the payment of this sum upon the presentation of properly authenticated vouchers.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-3-40.1