AUGUSTA – Democratic Senate candidate Chellie Pingree promoted an “Access to Education Agenda” on Thursday, advocating more financial assistance for higher-education students.

Pingree, who is challenging Republican incumbent Susan Collins, said she favored making $12,000 of college tuition tax deductible and reducing fees on student loans.

The former state Senate majority leader from North Haven also expressed support for college preparation courses such as Upward Bound and an expansion of AmeriCorps that she said would enable participants to perform public service while earning money for additional schooling.