LEWISTON — The Lewiston Lodge of Elks 371 has announced its annual Most Valuable Student Scholarship contest. This is a nationwide contest offered through the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. Through the MVS scholarship competition, the Elks will offer 500 four-year scholarships ranging from $1000 to $15,000 per year in the 2013 competition. A total of $2,216,000 in scholarship money will be awarded nationwide.

The scholarship program is open to all high school seniors who are U.S. citizens and who plan to enroll in a four-year undergraduate program at an accredited U.S. American college or university. Students do not need to be related to an Elk member to enter this contest and college students are not eligible to apply.

Applicants will be judged on scholarship, leadership and financial need. Boys and girls will be judged separately using the same criteria. Applicants advance through the local, district and state competitions to reach national judging.

Applications are available to be downloaded from the Elks website at www.elks.org/enf/scholars/downloadmvs.cfm. In addition, applications will also be available at school guidance departments across the area. Applications from Auburn-Lewiston and surrounding communities should be submitted to the Lewiston Elks Lodge at 1675 Lisbon St, Lewiston, ME 04240. The deadline for submission of application packages will be Dec. 7. For more information or for questions, contact Lewiston Elks Lodge Scholarship Chairman Belinda Ashworth at 740-6766.