The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation is an independent foundation that began in 1979 as the result of a bequest from the estate of Mrs. Charlotte Wilson Newcombe, a Philadelphia philanthropist. In the spirit of Mrs. Newcombe's generosity, The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation established, through the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an endowed fund to support mature adult students seeking to complete bachelor's degrees at the University.

The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation Scholarship was established in October 2008 by the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation. Spendable Income from the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation Scholarship provides annual need-based scholarships for students enrolled at the University who are at least 25 years of age and seeking to complete a bachelor’s degrees at the University.

The Newcombe Foundation provides scholarships in partnership with selected colleges and universities that welcome enrollment by mature adults and are committed to their success. The Foundation also helps its institutional partners build endowments that strengthen their long-term capacity to sustain a Newcombe Scholarships program.