Adult Learner Scholarship - Long-Term Scholarship Award Grant

The Adult Learner Scholarship provides financial assistance to nontraditional students in Maine pursuing higher education. Aimed at those over 25, working full-time, or independent, the scholarship supports various training paths, including degrees and certificates. Award amounts typically range from $1,000 to $2,500 per semester, based on individual need and study status. Recipients can renew for up to five years, allowing them to complete their educational goals. This scholarship particularly favors applicants without a prior Bachelor's degree.

Pursuing higher education as an adult – whether for the first time or not – is stressful and full of challenges. The Adult Learner Scholarship is intended to help relieve some of the financial burden of pursuing your goals so you can focus on what is important: school.
Overview
This scholarship is for Maine's nontraditional students who want to change their life for the better through education and training. The scholarship supports a range of training, including attending two- and four-year colleges and universities, completing a certificate and other non-degree programs, or attempting a self-directed learning experience with a clear goal.
Types of awards
MaineCF offers two types of adult learner scholarships, depending on the length of the program.

1. Long-term scholarship award

Please review the following details about the long-term scholarship award:
The size of the award will depend on the individual need, but most awards will be between $1,000-$2,500 per semester.The award size is based on whether an individual pursues full- or part-time study. Full-time awards will be reduced if a student changes to part-time study.

Eligibility

You must be a Maine resident.To be defined as a “nontraditional student,” you must also meet ONLY ONE of the following criteria:be over the age of 25 orwork full time (35 hours/week or more) while enrolled orhave dependents other than a spouse orbe financially independent from parents and/or considered independent for FAFSA purposes orhave not received a standard high school diploma (completed with a GED, HiSET, or certificate of completion) orhave delayed enrollment in college after high school for a reason other than a gap-year activity.Applicants may be enrolled full time or part time.Unless the application is for a self-directed learning experience, all programs must be accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation agencyLong-term scholarship awardApplicants are eligible for a long-term award if the program meets the following criteria:The program will last more than a full semesterAt the end of the program the applicant will have a one- or two-year certificate or a two- or four-year degreeBeginning in 2024, recipients may apply for renewal for a maximum of 5 years or 10 semesters of scholarship support.Current recipients who have already reached this maximum will be offered a grace period of one year (up to two semesters).The applicant may need to renew the award to finish the programAll awards are intended to cover one semester of study.Applicants will need to apply for renewal for each semester of attendance.

Ineligibility

Late applications will not be accepted.Awards cannot be deferred.Graduate study is not supported by this scholarship.