LEWISTON – Modern Woodmen of America has expanded its fraternal college scholarship program for members, adding to the number and type of awards.

Increased from 63 to 149, the number of Modern Woodmen members receiving awards through the program will more than double in 2004. It includes new awards for nontraditional age students.

Modern Woodmen members who will graduate from high school can apply for one of 39 scholarships and 100 additional awards. Nontraditional students (those age 25 and over) can apply for one of 10 grants awarded each year.

Each year, national scholarships of $16,000 are awarded to three winners chosen from all qualifying high school applicants. Thirty-six regional scholarships are also awarded annually to six winners selected in each of six geographic regions of the United States.

Regional scholarship winners receive awards of $12,000, $11,000, $10,000, $9,000, $8,000 or $7,000. Scholarship funds are distributed equally over four years of undergraduate study at the accredited college or university of the student’s choice.

Recipients are chosen based on academic and leadership abilities. Another 100 students, selected randomly from remaining qualified applicants, will receive onetime $500 awards.

A new grant program can assist students age 25 and over who are working toward an undergraduate degree or certificate from an accredited college, university, trade or technical school. Modern Woodmen will present onetime $1,000 awards to 10 students selected randomly from qualified applicants.

Contact Modern Woodmen District Manager Dick Courtemanche at 786-3622 for additional qualification and application information.