AUGUSTA — The Maine Innkeepers Association has given college scholarship grants to 12 students from across Maine. Many of the students are already attending colleges in the Northeast and several are headed to college for the first time.

The scholarships were announced at a benefit dinner at the Black Point Inn in Scarborough. Proceeds from the dinner will go into the Maine Innkeepers Association Education Foundation.

To qualify, students must be pursuing a course of study related to the hospitality industry, or must be employees or children of members of the Maine Innkeepers Association.

Area scholarship recipients include:

Ana Knight, Harpswell, Lasell College, sponsors, Ron & Jeanne Carpentier.

Abigail Brown, West Poland, Husson University, sponsor, Migis Hotel Group.

Erica Jackson, Oxford, USM, sponsor, Friends of Ed & Fay, Carrabassett Coffee Co.

Hamido Hassan, Lewiston, Johnson & Wales University, sponsor, Performance Foodservice NorthCenter.

For over 33 years, Maine Innkeepers have awarded scholarships totaling $199,500 to 286 students across Maine.