Trio student support services

The University of Southern Maine received a $272,364 Project Grant award from the Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education under the TRIO Student Support Services Program (CFDA 84.042), effective September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026. This award funds comprehensive supportive services designed to enhance postsecondary educational outcomes for disadvantaged student populations, including low-income students, first-generation college attendees, and students with disabilities. The program delivers academic support, financial literacy instruction, and student success interventions to increase retention rates, graduation completion, and transfer rates from two-year to four-year institutions.

The University of Southern Maine will provide these services to eligible students at its Portland, Maine campus through a one-year project period. As a comprehensive public higher education institution with demonstrated capacity in federal grant administration, the university will implement evidence-based support mechanisms aligned with the program's statutory objectives under 34 CFR 646.21 and 646.22. Continuation funding for subsequent years will be evaluated annually based on grantee performance, fund availability, and demonstrated progress toward established project objectives.