The Will Paul Bateman Scholarship

The Will Paul Bateman Scholarship is a philanthropic initiative established through the Last Will and Testament of Will Paul Bateman, a former resident of Dade County, Florida. Created in 1957, this scholarship fund reflects Mr. Bateman’s strong desire to support students who demonstrate merit but lack the financial means to pursue higher education. The scholarship is managed by the trustees at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., who oversee its distribution and administration. This program supports educational advancement by providing scholarship funding to colleges and universities in the State of Florida. Grants from the fund are strictly limited to qualifying post-secondary institutions in Florida. The awarded institutions are required to designate each award specifically as “The Will Paul Bateman Scholarship,” and they are responsible for distributing the funds to students deemed worthy of assistance. Eligibility for this funding is restricted to colleges and universities that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This makes the grant available exclusively to nonprofit institutions operating in the education sector. Individual students do not apply directly; instead, eligible institutions receive the funding and award scholarships to students who would otherwise be unable to afford college. Applications for this funding opportunity are accepted year-round. However, to be considered for the annual grant review meeting held each February, submissions must be received by November 30. Applicants receive an automated email confirming submission. Successful grantees must submit a progress report within six months of receiving the funds, unless otherwise specified. The foundation typically awards between three and five grants each year. Individual awards range from $5,000 to $10,000, with an annual total grant disbursement averaging around $26,000. Although the program does not have a formal open date, the submission process is continuous, making it a rolling opportunity with a fixed annual review deadline. Overall, the Will Paul Bateman Scholarship serves as a dedicated funding mechanism to alleviate financial barriers to higher education for deserving students in Florida. By partnering with nonprofit educational institutions, the scholarship fund helps to further access and equity in higher learning across the state.