Senators Collins, King, and Representative Pingree Announce Nearly $300,000 for USM’s TRIO Veterans Upward Bound Program

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representative Chellie Pingree announced that the University of Southern Maine’s Veterans Upward Bound program has been awarded $275,155 from the U.S. Department of Education. 

“USM’s Veterans Upward Bound program is the only one of its kind in the State of Maine, and one of two such programs in New England.  Since being awarded funds, USM has been working diligently to recruit veterans for the program,” said Senators Collins and King and Representative Pingree in a joint statement.  “We are pleased that this essential program that gives veterans the resources and support they need to succeed in postsecondary education will continue to be offered across Maine.”

“The TRIO Veterans Upward Bound grant is so important to supporting the college aspirations of veterans across Maine,” said Dr. Glenn Cummings, President of the University of Southern Maine.  “I want to thank Senators Collins and King and Representative Pingree for their successful effort to ensure this essential grant for Maine veterans continues.”

Last month, Senators Collins and King and Representative Pingree sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Education in support of USM’s grant application.

The University of Southern Maine’s Veterans Upward Bound program will serve low-income, first-generation veterans from across the State of Maine.  Of Maine’s 119,058 veterans, 7,954 are low-income and 89,179 do not have a bachelor’s degree and are highly likely to be potential first-generation college students.  The program provides assessment and enhancement of basic skills through counseling, mentoring, tutoring, and academic instruction in the core subject areas.