Maine universities receive $800,000 to help low-income students, media reports

The federal Department of Education is giving nearly $800,000 to Maine public universities to provide help for low-income and first-generation students who want to go to college.

The award was announced in a joint press release from U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King.

The agency is awarding the money through the Talent Search Program and it will be used to help students graduate high school with academic support and get financial counseling for college.

The education department is giving more than $500,000 to the University of Maine System and more than $200,000 to the University of Maine at Presque Isle.

The University of Maine System expects the Talent Search Program will provide services to more than 1,000 students in grades six through 12. UMPI expects to serve 500 more in targeted rural school districts in northern Maine.

The Talent Search Program is one of eight Federal TRIO programs that help low-income and first-generation students and students with disabilities complete their college educations. Sen. Collins is the co-chair of the Congressional TRIO Caucus, of which Sen. King is also a member, the release states.

The announcement was reported by AP, MPBN, Portland Press Herald and WABI (Channel 5).