It began as a way to give local kids more post-secondary education options. Today, it is one of the largest funds of its kind in Maine. The Boothbay Region Student Aid Fund is in its 52nd year and the annual fund drive is under way. 

The BRSAF contacts over 4,000 residents of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb and Southport. The 2016-17 annual fund’s goal is to raise $125,000, according to Board President Brad Hastings.

The annual fund is one of three ways the BRSAF raises money to afford need-based financial grants to Boothbay Region High School graduates. The other two sources are donors establishing named or memorial funds along with annual donations from local businesses and foundations.

The BRSAF was established in 1964 by a small group of citizens known for knocking on doors to solicit donations on behalf of high school seniors hoping to attend college. Over the years, people of the Boothbay Region have been consistently supportive of the BRSAF.

In 2016, the BRSAF provided 80 BRHS graduates with over $343,500 in need-based financial grants. This aid is not a loan, and no payback is expected. The grants are given to BRHS graduates attending an accredited post-secondary institution and eligibility for funding begins with their first year of study or professional training (after BRHS) and may continue up to six years.

In this year’s annual fund letter, Hastings wrote that he hoped that it’s the board’s and community’s shared goal to support young people as they aspire to further their post-secondary education and training by providing larger grants to afford the tuition of college, university, technical or trade schools.

“Of course we are proud of our past efforts and of the community’s participation over the years. Yet, we would like to provide much more — that is our pressing challenge,” said Hastings. “Doing so is a wise investment.” 

The BRSAF was founded by former local educator Marvin Rosenblum, who taught eighth grade and was the principal at the Boothbay Center Grammar School. He later became the local high school’s guidance counselor. Apparently, in a conversation with the high school principal, Rosenblum indicated a concern about the lack of post-secondary education options for Boothbay region students. In 1963, less than 20 percent of BRHS graduates continued their post secondary education after graduating. In 1964, Rosenblum and several others created the BRSAF.

In 1968, Rosenblum ended his tenure as high school guidance counselor with 88 percent of graduates seeking post-secondary education. In 2016, 35 BRHS graduates continued their post-secondary education and 27 qualified for grants.

The biggest challenge facing the BRSAF is being able to provide more financial aid as the cost of college education rises. A BRSAF application for funding determines how much an applicant’s family can pay toward the student’s tuition. This past year, BRSAF grants covered about 35 percent of recipients’ financial obligations not met through financial aid and other scholarships, according to Hastings.

The board is encouraging all to donate to the annual fund and/or create a fund honoring a friend or family member. Another significant way to support the BRSAF is by joining The Legacy Society, a group of generous donors who have included the BRSAF in their estate planning.

For more information about the BRSAF or ways to support it, call 633-5396 or email info@brsaf.org; or log on to www.brsaf.org to donate online.