HOULTON, Maine — The Ricker College Board of Trustees have increased the amount of their annual scholarships beginning with the Class of 2021.
The board made the decision to increase the scholarship funds during the group’s annual May meeting via Zoom, with Dan Watson, chairman of the board, presiding over the meeting. Twelve members were present along with members Emeriti — Joe Inman and John Clark.
According to Gary Bossie, executive director of the board, there are currently 100 students in college receiving scholarships from the board. The cost to the trustees for the 2020 academic year was $146,800 sent to colleges mostly in New England. All of the students receiving scholarships are Aroostook or Washington county high school graduates.
Thomas Pierce, fund manager and representative of the H.M. Payson Company of Portland, reported on the status of the Ricker Scholarship Endowment, which at the present time is valued at a little over $4.5 million. Pierce reminded the trustees that more than 1,300 students have benefitted from the scholarship.
In total, the fund has contributed $4.6 million to the education of local students since it began in 1985. At that time the award was $1,000. In 2005, the amount was increased to $1,500 annually.
Starting with the Class of 2021, the scholarship amount will now be increased to $2,000 annually and may be renewed for four years, or until the student completes his/her baccalaureate degree.
As a result of this change, the board will award scholarships to 36 area students for their four-year university programs.
Applications for next year’s Class of 2022 will be available in high school offices starting in January of 2022. For more information, visit www.rickerscholarship.com or contact Bossie at PO Box 1016, Houlton, ME or by emailing rickerscholarship@myfairpoint.net.
