PORTLAND – Kyle Dawson of Rumford, son of Ed and Lisa Dawson, was recently awarded a $2,500 Maine Educational Loan Authority Scholarship. His name was randomly selected from more than 1,400 applicants.

Dawson is a 2003 graduate of Mountain Valley High School and will use his $2,500 scholarship toward his tuition and fees at the University of Maine where he is majoring in electrical engineering and computer engineering.

Dawson’s interests include golf, basketball, soccer, hiking, camping and video games.

The authority, sponsor of The Maine Loan, offers Maine residents planning to attend an institution of higher education in Maine, out-of-state or Canada or out-of-state students planning to attend a Maine college or university, the chance to win $2,500 toward their college education.

Applicants sign up at www.mela.net and are entered into the drawing. MELA recently increased its total scholarship awards to $20,000, and offers eight $2,500 scholarships, selecting four entries in July 2008 and four entries in January 2009.

For more information, call toll-free 1-800-922-6352 or visit www.mela.net.