PORTLAND — The Richard H. Pierce Family Foundation Higher Education Scholarship Program will award $20,000 in scholarships to Somerset County students this year.

Pierce’s parents were born and raised in Somerset County and his family has had ties to the area for many generations.

The program will award 20 $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors in the spring. Students planning to attend an accredited institution of higher education may access scholarship information from their high school guidance office or online at www.mesfoundation.com.

Maine Education Services (MES), a nonprofit organization located in Portland, will be the designated administrator for the program. For more information, call 800-922-6352 or visit www.mesfoundation.com.