DEARBORN — Seventy high school seniors and college students are set to receive $1,000 scholarships from the Arab American Scholarship Foundation (AASF) on May 8 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dearborn during the organization’s 20th anniversary dinner.

The foundation, which operates through the Lebanese American Heritage Club (LAHC), has distributed more than $1.5 million to Arab American students over the last two decades.

LAHC board member Suehaila Amen said the 70 awards are the highest number of scholarships the group has ever given.

She said awardees were chosen from about 250 applicants, chosen by an independent committee of local educators.

AASF President Ali Berry said that as the program grows, the group is receiving more applications from outside Michigan.

He said he hopes the foundation’s influence will continue to grow, but that part of the motivation for its establishment was to help local young people succeed and give back to the Detroit-area.

“I’m sure that a lot of the students will come back and invest in the community,” he said.

He’s been able to watch some students over the years use the scholarships, graduate, achieve success and return the favor locally.

Moose Scheib, 27, of Dearborn, received the scholarship four times while in college, helping him get through Albion College and Columbia Law School in New York.

After spending time after graduation in New York, Scheib returned to Dearborn, and now runs loan modification company Mizna, which helps home-owners facing foreclosure rework deals with banks, allowing families to keep their houses.

Mizna also sponsored a major Arab American comedy show in the summer of 2007, with plans to make it an annual event. An August 15 show is set to take place at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center.

Scheib said that amid so many local community functions, fundraisers and cultural gatherings, he felt there was an absence of comedy. He wanted to give back by helping put together a celebration of the humor in the common themes and struggles that Arab Americans face.

Scheib has also started a consulting firm to help companies do business in the Middle East.

“I think we have a lot of potential in our community,” he said.

He said the help that he got from the AASF played a large role in his success, and that young people continue to need it now more than ever.

“Especially with how expensive education is now, every little bit helps,” he said.

Berry said he’s proud to have been able to watch Scheib and others who have become doctors and lawyers use the scholarships to help boost them to success.

“That’s an honor and that’s great that we’re part of this. There’s a lot of good kids out there,” he said.

Amen said the funds come primarily from corporate sponsorship of the annual dinner, along with individual and small business donations.

Special consideration is given to students majoring in communications.

Berry said there is a pressing need for Arab American presence in mainstream media.

“That’s what we’re in need of most,” he said.

For more information on the Arab American Scholarship Foundation, visit www.lahc.org and click on Education.