For 60 years, many graduates of Boothbay Region High School have benefited from grants, not loans, from the Boothbay Region Student Aid Fund. Beginning in 1964 with an idea spun off from the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club’s scholarship program, a “Mothers’ March,” consisting of mothers and fathers going door to door during January cold and snow, raised enough money to give ten graduates grants totaling $3,500. Money allocated for 2024-2025 the school year to 62 applicants totals $503,000.

Graduates applying for these grants fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) form from which the Awards committee of the Student Aid Fund establishes need. Because the money awarded is a grant, the student does not need to repay it. A BRHS graduate may apply for grants up to six years (three as a graduate student) at any time in their life. These grants may be used for any post secondary education be it for a vocational or technical program, community college, four-year institution, or graduate school.

Many individuals over the years have worked on the board of the Student Aid Fund to raise this money and distribute these awards, beginning with early founders such as Bud Logan and Dr. John Andrews, along with William Danforth, who was president of the first Board of Directors. Many people have generously supported this effort.

Many students over the years have expressed their gratitude for this help to continue their education. For example one student has written, “Thank you for your generosity and support. I promise I will work hard and hope to give back to our community with my education.” Another said, “I didn’t appreciate until I went away to school, how rare the Student Aid Fund is.”

For more student comments and information visit the Boothbay Region Student Aid Fund website, brsaf.org, and click on “About Us.” You may also donate directly from this website. As a community we can be proud of 60 years ongoing support of our graduating students and from many of them, their continuing contribution back to us.