Henry L.P. Schmelzer College Transitions Scholarship Grant

The Henry L.P. Schmelzer College Transitions Scholarship provides essential financial support to nontraditional adult learners in Maine. Aimed at residents facing financial need, this scholarship facilitates access to various educational pathways, including two- and four-year colleges, certificate programs, and self-directed learning. Named after a notable advocate for education, the fund encourages adults to pursue their academic goals, ensuring they receive the necessary resources to overcome barriers and thrive in their educational journeys.

Adult Learner Scholarship
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.
Henry L.P. Schmelzer College Transitions Scholarship Fund
Throughout his tenure as president and CEO of the Maine Community Foundation, Hank Schmelzer was a consistent advocate for the importance of higher education in Maine and helped launch the Maine Compact for Higher Education in 2003. At his retirement in December 2008, generous donors recognized Hank’s leadership by establishing the Henry L.P. Schmelzer College Transitions Scholarship Fund to support the post-secondary aspirations of Maine adults returning to school, with a preference for residents of Hancock County, and statewide who have financial need.

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.Applicants must have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if they are eligible to do so.Unless the application is for a self-directed learning experience, all programs must be accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation agency.Henry L.P. Schmelzer College Transitions Scholarship FundThe Henry L.P. Schmelzer College Transitions Scholarship Fund supports the post-secondary aspirations of Maine adults returning to school.