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 Benjamin Rosser, a Business Administration major at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. He is a graduate of Caribou High School.

Rosser, the son of Ron and Johna Rosser of Caribou, is a senior at UMPI. He served as the captain of the Owl Men’s basketball team his freshman and sophomore year. Since his junior year, he has balanced a full-time job in addition to his school work. He and his wife Emily Rosser have been married for two years and the couple just had their first son, Andrew, five months ago.

Recent scholarship recipients from the University of Maine at Presque Isle include Laura Schools in 2010, 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 $271,000 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 Presque Isle, University of New England and University of Southern Maine.