UMF awarded $20M college-readiness grant
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded the University of Maine at Farmington a $20 million, seven-year grant to help at-risk middle and high school students prepare for and be successful in college.
The Lewiston Sun Journal reported that the grant — known as GEAR UP, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs — is projected to serve up to 7,600 students annually from 63 high-poverty rural schools in 26 districts. UMF will be working with 19 partners representing a wide spectrum of educational and business organizations in support of the grant’s goals, the newspaper reported.
Participants in the program will work closely with students beginning in seventh grade to help improve their academic performance and increase the rate of high school graduation. The program also seeks to increase students’ and their families’ knowledge of post-secondary education, financial literacy and the options available to them.
Maine is one of 10 states to receive the grant. UMF will serve as the award’s fiscal agent, the newspaper reported, with Syntiro, a nonprofit based in Readfield, providing the administration. The $20 million from the federal government will be matched by 46 partners across the state.
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