Spurling Scholarship Grant

Spurling Scholarship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Maine Community Foundation
Last Updated: October 16, 2025

Summary

The Spurling Scholarship, established in 1984, supports Maine's nontraditional students seeking higher education. It aims to alleviate the financial burdens faced by adult learners, particularly those from unbridged islands like Cranberry Isles and Mount Desert Island. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and meet specific criteria, such as being over 25 or working full-time while studying. The scholarship encourages educational advancement through accredited programs, contributing to personal and professional growth.

Overview

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. Spurling Scholarship The Spurling Scholarship was established in 1984 to provide renewable support to residents of the Cranberry Isles; Frenchboro, Long Island; Swans Island; and Mount Desert Island pursuing post-secondary education at a college, community college, or vocational training program. Preference is given to applicants from unbridged islands with the greatest financial need.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. 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.Spurling ScholarshipThe Spurling Scholarship was established in 1984 to provide renewable support to residents of the Cranberry Isles; Frenchboro, Long Island; Swans Island; and Mount Desert Island pursuing post-secondary education at a college, community college, or vocational training program.