The trustees of the Maine Higher Education Assistance Foundation (MeHEAF) are pleased to announce the awarding of a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to Laura Schools, a business administration major at UMPI. She is a graduate of Houlton High School.

MeHEAF student scholarship recipients must be a Maine high school graduate majoring in a business related area in their second, third, or fourth year, and be in good academic standing. Previous recent scholarship recipients from the University of Maine at Presque Isle include Lance Masse in 2009, Tory Bradbury in 2008; Katie McNally in 2007; Jessica White in 2006; and Linda Gover in 2005.

The Maine Higher Education Assistance Foundation was established in the 1950’s as a guarantee fund for student loans. The founders included a wide range of banks, businesses, community organizations and individuals. In 1990, the MeHEAF trustees, to continue the original intent of the founding members, initiated a scholarship program funded by the return on the original loan guarantee funds. The fund is now managed by the Maine Bankers Association, 489 Congress Street, Portland.

Since 1990, a total of $260,000 in scholarships has been awarded. Colleges receiving MeHEAF grants each year are: Husson University, Maine Community College System, St. Joseph’s College, Thomas College, University of Maine at Augusta, University of Maine at Farmington, University of Maine Fort Kent, University of Maine at Machias, University of Maine at Orono, University of Maine at Presque Isle, University of New England and University of Southern Maine.