U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced on Jan. 21 that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded $395,890 to the University of Maine at Augusta. The funding is provided through the agency’s Strengthening Institutions Program and aims to support low-income students, advance academic quality, and promote the fiscal stability of the University of Maine at Augusta.

“The University of Maine at Augusta provides vital educational opportunities to both first-time and non-traditional students seeking to go on and do great things,” Senators Collins and King said. “This grant funding will bolster that tradition by expanding support for low-income students, giving more Maine students the chance to attain an education and the skills necessary to succeed in today’s global economy.”

The Strengthening Institutions Program helps eligible institutions of higher education become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low-income students. The life of the grant is expected to be five years, with the initial $395,890 being implemented under the FY 2016 budget.