William Bingham 2nd Scholarship for Adult Learners Fund Grant

William Bingham 2nd Scholarship for Adult Learners Fund Grant

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

Summary

The William Bingham 2nd Scholarship for Adult Learners Fund supports Maine's nontraditional students pursuing higher education. Established in 2017 to honor philanthropist William Bingham, this scholarship alleviates financial burdens for adult learners attending accredited colleges, universities, or training programs. Eligible applicants must be Maine residents and meet specific criteria, such as being over 25 or working full-time. The scholarship emphasizes the importance of preparation and commitment to education, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to advance their skills and knowledge.

Overview

Note: Application to the Bingham fund is handled through the Adult Learner Scholarship. 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. William Bingham 2nd Scholarship for Adult Learners Fund William Bingham was a self-effacing philanthropist who lived in Bethel, Maine. During his lifetime, Mr. Bingham provided funds for many Maine students to pay for their education, including Edmund Muskie and Dr. Daniel Hanley. At Mr. Bingham’s death, his will created the Betterment Fund, a private foundation dedicated to residents of the state of Maine. This scholarship was opened in 2017 in honor of William B. Winship, who retired as a trustee of the Betterment Fund after 40 years of service.

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 agencyWilliam Bingham 2nd Scholarship for Adult Learners FundThis renewable scholarship supports residents of Oxford, Franklin, and Somerset counties who are adult learners (students who are beyond high-school age) returning to school to continue their education at the post-secondary level. The fund supports post-secondary education in its broadest interpretation, which includes enrollment in traditional two- and four-year colleges and universities, but could also apply to certificate programs and other professional or technical training opportunities