Senator Collins Announces Nearly $5 Million in TRIO Student Support Services Grants for Maine

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional TRIO Caucus, announced that the Department of Education has awarded a total of $4,981,867 in TRIO Student Support Services grants to 11 Maine colleges and universities. These grants are given to colleges and universities to improve the retention and graduation rates of first-generation and low-income college students. The announcement comes after Senator Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, questioned Secretary of Education Linda McMahon on the proposed elimination of TRIO programs at an Appropriations hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for the U.S. Department of Education. 

“I have seen the lives of countless first-generation and low-income students, not only in Maine, but across the country, changed by the TRIO program. I am glad the Secretary of Education followed through on the commitment she made to me at our Appropriations hearing to disburse these grants, and I will continue to urge the Administration to support this critical investment into our students and schools,” said Senator Collins.  

The following Maine colleges and universities received Student Support Services grants:

1. University of Maine - $694,807
2. Central Maine Community College - $620,879
3. University of Maine at Augusta - $566,531
4. University of Southern Maine - $544,728
5. Southern Maine Community College - $544,728 
6. University of Maine at Presque Isle - $373,084
7. University of Maine at Fort Kent - $356,773
8. Kennebec Valley Community College - $352,531
9. University of Maine at Farmington - $352,530
10. Washington County Community College - $302,912
11. Eastern Maine Community College - $272,364

In June, Senator Collins announced the Department of Education’s release of TRIO Upward Bound Grants for Maine following her urging. 

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