LEWISTON — The Elks National Foundation’s Most Valuable Student scholarship contest will make the dream of a college education a reality for 500 high school seniors in 2012. The Elks National Foundation kicked off the contest on Sept. 1. This year, the foundation added more top awards to the program. Applicants will compete for top awards ranging from $8,000 over four years to $60,000 over four years. The remaining 482 runners-up will receive scholarships of $4,000 over four years.

Any high school senior who is a citizen of the United States is eligible to apply. Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks. Males and females compete separately, and are judged on scholarship, leadership and financial need.

Applications for the 2012 contest are available at Elks Lodges, local high schools, for download at www.elks.org/enf/scholars, or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Elks National Foundation, 2750 N. Lakeview Ave., Chicago, IL 60614-2256.

Completed applications must be turned in to the applicant’s nearest Elks Lodge no later than the Dec. 2 contest deadline. For most of Androscoggin County, that would be the Lewiston Elks Lodge 371 at 1675 Lisbon St. To find a sponsoring Elks Lodge, check the phone book or search online at www.elks.org/lodges. Applicants must advance through local, district and state competition to reach the national contest. The 500 national winners will be announced mid-May.

All eligible high school seniors are encouraged to apply because in addition to the 500 national winners many local Elks Lodges and state Elks associations award their own scholarships.