USA Scholarships
Larry B. Wickham Memorial Graduate Scholarship 2027
The Larry B. Wickham Memorial Scholarship for Graduate Studies honors an early MPAEA memorial award recipient and now supports one graduate student each year with up to $1,000 for tuition, books, and school-related expenses. You must be enrolled in a graduate program in adult education or a closely related field at an institution in an MPAEA member state, which includes Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Membership in MPAEA is required, though you may submit a membership application alongside the scholarship application. Financial need figures in selection, and first-time winners only may apply. Submit materials electronically by December 31 for use in the following academic year, with notification about one month after the deadline.
What is the Larry B. Wickham Memorial Scholarship?
Larry Wickham was among the first names on MPAEA''s memorial scholarship roll in the 1980s, and the association later renamed the graduate award in his memory. Today the Wickham fund still targets practitioners and scholars who want to strengthen adult education across the Mountain Plains region, not generic graduate aid open to any major.
The geography rule trips people up. You are eligible when your enrolled campus sits in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming, even if you grew up somewhere else. Your degree should connect to adult learners, literacy, workforce programs, or another field the application treats as closely related.
MPAEA membership is non-negotiable, but you can join and apply in the same packet if you are new to the association. Financial need is part of the rubric, so gather whatever documentation the form asks for instead of treating the award as pure merit. Only first-time winners may apply, which keeps the small $1,000 pool rotating among new graduate students each year.
Download the application from the MPAEA awards and scholarships page, submit electronically by December 31, 2026, and expect notification ahead of the conference announcement that closes the cycle.
Eligibility
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✓Graduate enrollment in an MPAEA member stateYou must be enrolled in a graduate degree program at a college or university located in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming. You do not have to permanently reside in the region, but your institution must sit in a member state.
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✓Adult education or related fieldYour graduate degree must be in adult education or a closely related discipline that MPAEA recognizes on the application. Career and technical education, literacy, and workforce development paths often qualify when tied to adult learners.
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✓MPAEA membershipYou must be a current MPAEA member or submit a membership application with your scholarship materials. Membership forms are linked from mpaea.wildapricot.org.
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✓First-time recipient onlyGraduate students who have previously received this memorial scholarship may not apply again. Alternates may be named if the primary winner cannot accept.
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✓Financial needApplicants are evaluated on financial need. Plan to include whatever need analysis or narrative the application requests so the scholarship committee can compare files fairly.
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✓U.S. citizenThird-party scholarship listings describe the award as open to U.S. citizens attending four-year colleges. Confirm citizenship wording on the live MPAEA application before you submit.
Benefits
- Maximum award Up to $1,000 (funding dependent)
- Intended use Tuition, books, school expenses
- Award timing Following academic year after selection
- Alternates Two alternates named with winner
- Conference recognition Winner announced at MPAEA annual conference
- Repeat awards Previous Wickham recipients ineligible
Document checklist
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✓MPAEA Wickham scholarship applicationDownload the application from the MPAEA awards page or request a copy from your state MPAEA board member. Complete every field before the December 31 deadline.
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✓Official or unofficial transcriptProvide graduate transcript evidence that you are enrolled in a qualifying program at an institution in a member state.
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✓Financial need documentationSubmit the financial need analysis or statement required on the application so reviewers can weigh need alongside your academic plan.
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✓Letters of referenceInclude the number of recommendations the application specifies, usually from faculty or supervisors who know your adult education work.
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✓MPAEA membership form if neededIf you are not already a member, attach a completed membership application with your scholarship packet.
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✓Electronic submissionEmail or upload the completed packet as instructed on the application, typically to the scholarship committee contact listed by MPAEA.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Larry B. Wickham Memorial Scholarship?
It is a Mountain Plains Adult Education Association memorial fund that provides up to $1,000 for a graduate student in adult education or a closely related field. The award honors Larry Wickham, an Idaho recipient of the association's early memorial scholarship program.
Which states qualify for the Wickham graduate scholarship?
Your college or university must be in an MPAEA member state: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming. You do not have to permanently live in the region, but your enrolled campus must sit in one of those states.
When is the Larry B. Wickham Memorial Scholarship deadline?
Applications are due December 31 each cycle. Submit electronically according to the instructions on the MPAEA application or your state board contact.
How much is the Wickham Memorial Scholarship worth?
MPAEA offers up to $1,000 annually depending on available funding. The money is meant for tuition, books, and other school-related expenses during the academic year after selection.
Do I have to be an MPAEA member to apply?
Yes. You must be a current member or submit a membership application together with your scholarship packet. Membership information is on mpaea.wildapricot.org.
Can I receive the Wickham scholarship more than once?
No. Graduate students who have previously received this memorial scholarship are not eligible to apply again. The committee may name alternates if the primary winner cannot accept.
How is the Wickham scholarship winner chosen?
The MPAEA Scholarship Committee reviews applications using financial need and eligibility criteria, selects one memorial scholarship winner plus two alternates, notifies students about a month after the deadline, and announces the recipient at the annual MPAEA conference.
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