Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) announced $105,688,374 in emergency funding for colleges, universities, and students in Maine under the American Rescue Plan. The funding will help local institutions cope with the severe financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and continue serving their students safely. At least half of the funding each institution receives will be distributed in the form of emergency cash assistance grants to students who are facing hunger, homelessness, and other hardship. 

“Maine students and institutions of higher learning have faced significant financial hardships due to the pandemic,” said Pingree. “I supported the American Rescue Plan to help students who are grappling with serious challenges like hunger and homelessness. This significant educational investment will go a long way to ensure students can get on track and complete their degrees at schools that are operating safely. I’m proud to have voted for this historic aid package, which will help us to defeat the pandemic, support students, and build a stronger local economy.” 

The colleges and universities in Maine receiving funding under the American Rescue Plan are:

• Bates College: $2,500,489
• Bowdoin College: $2,953,442
• Central Maine Community College: $7,005,701
• Colby College: $3,293,375
• College of the Atlantic: $835,829
• Eastern Maine Community College: $5,208,270
• Husson University: $7,599,587
• Kennebec Valley Community College: $4,198,819
• The Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design: $120,805
• Maine College of Art: $1,292,319
• Maine College of Health Professions: $544,412
• Maine Maritime Academy: $2,250,509
• Maine Media College: $15,486
• Northern Maine Community College: $2,301,587
• Saint Joseph's College: $2,590,739
• Southern Maine Community College: $11,402,078
• Thomas College: $2,555,214
• Unity College: $1,977,172
• University of Maine: $22,180,539
• University of Maine - Augusta: $5,921,547
• University of Maine ‐ Farmington: $5,925,678
• University of Maine ‐ Fort Kent: $1,992,806
• University of Maine ‐ Presque Isle: $2,261,405
• University of New England: $5,211,619
• University of Southern Maine: $15,137,560 
• Washington County Community College: $1,148,774
• York County Community College: $2,400,173

Students should contact their institutions for more information about how they can apply for an emergency grant, 

The American Rescue Plan also includes nearly $3 billion in additional funding – which will be distributed at a later date – for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), other Minority-Serving Institutions, and other under-resourced institutions.

To read more about emergency education funding under the American Rescue Plan, click here. 

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