If you have a Boothbay region ZIP code, you will likely receive a request to help local college students. The Boothbay Region Student Aid Fund’s annual drive is underway with over 4,000 letters being sent to local peninsula addresses and to those who have traditionally contributed to the cause.

Last year, 78 Boothbay Region High School graduates received grants; 21 went to Class of 2017 graduates and 57 went to returning undergraduate and graduate school students. The BRSAF board has set a $250,000 goal for this year’s drive. “We’re trying to improve on last year’s total. Each year, college expenses increase and we want to keep up with that,” BRSAF President Brad Hastings said.

Donations go almost entirely toward college tuition. Hastings said a small portion goes toward the board’s operating costs. The board’s primary focus is providing students with financial assistance with their unmet college financial needs. The BRSAF is dedicated to providing grants supporting BRHS graduates who are in good standing and are between their first and sixth year of study at a college or university, community college, or school of professional training. BHRS graduates who return to higher education later in life are also eligible.

Each year, contributions to the annual fund drive are combined with a portion of the earnings generated from BRSAF’s professionally managed investment funds. In recent years, this sum covered only approximately 30 percent of the recipients’  unmet need. Last year, the BRSAF provided over $400,000 in grants to local students. Grants are entirely based on the financial needs of a student’s family.

Those wishing to contribute can send a donation by check to Boothbay Region Student Aid Fund, P.O. Box 293, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538, or through the organization’s PayPal account at brsaf.org

This article has been updated.