State’s Upward Bound programs gain $2.1M

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Education has awarded six federal grants totaling $2,153,200 to the University of Maine at Farmington, Presque Isle and Orono; the University of Southern Maine at Portland; and Bowdoin College in Brunswick for their Upward Bound programs serving disadvantaged students.

Upward Bound programs target students whose parents do not hold bachelor’s degrees in an effort to increase the rates at which participants complete secondary education, enroll in, and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. The program provides intensive academic instruction and support to participants in completing college entrance and financial aid applications and preparing for college entrance exams.

Upward Bound also provides support programs to first generation military veterans. Through short-term remedial courses and intensive basic skills development, the program helps low-income veterans successfully transition into post-secondary education.

The grants for Maine are as follows:

Bowdoin College will receive $410,748 for a recommended enrollment of 100.

The University of Maine at Farmington will receive $343,161 for a recommended enrollment of 55.

The University of Maine in Orono will receive $554,368 for a recommended enrollment of 100.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle will receive $345,427 for a recommended enrollment of 66.

The University of Southern Maine will receive two grants, $279,496 and $222,000, each for a recommended enrollment of 50.