An Act to Provide Funding to Improve the College and Career
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 2147
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: DUSON, MURPHY

Legislative Document
No. 2147
S.P. 865
In Senate, January 7, 2026
An Act to Provide Funding to Improve the College and Career 
Readiness of Certain Students in Androscoggin and Oxford 
Counties
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203.
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator DUSON of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Representative MURPHY of Scarborough and
Senators: BENNETT of Oxford, BICKFORD of Androscoggin, Representative: HEPLER of 
Woolwich.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  University of Maine System funding for academic support and 
college and career preparation; use of funds.  The University of Maine System shall 
administer the funds appropriated in section 3.  The funds must be used solely to provide 
academic support and college and career preparation services to students at Buckfield 
Junior-Senior High School, Dirigo High School, Edward Little High School, Mountain 
Valley High School, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School and Telstar High School in 
Androscoggin and Oxford counties who meet the eligibility qualifications of the United 
States Department of Education's Upward Bound program.  Services may include, but are 
not limited to, academic advising, tutoring in mathematics and English language arts, peer 
mentoring, support in applying for higher education and accessing financial aid, career 
exploration and planning and on-campus summer residential experiences.
Sec. 2.  Report.  That, by December 1, 2027, the University of Maine System shall 
submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
education matters that includes an overview of the services provided pursuant to section 1.  
The report must include student outcomes such as high school grade point average, 
retention, graduation and postsecondary enrollment.  The joint standing committee may 
report out legislation related to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 133rd 
Legislature.
Sec. 3.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made.
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM, BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
Educational and General Activities - UMS 0031
Initiative: Provides a one-time appropriation to the University of Maine System to provide 
academic support and college and career preparation services to eligible students in 6 high 
schools in Androscoggin and Oxford counties previously served by the University of Maine 
at Farmington's River Valley Upward Bound program.
GENERAL FUND
2025-26
2026-27
All Other
$0
$309,505
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$0
$309,505
SUMMARY
This bill provides one-time funds for the University of Maine System to provide 
academic support and college and career preparation services to eligible students in 6 high 
schools in Androscoggin and Oxford counties that previously participated in the University 
of Maine at Farmington's River Valley Upward Bound program.  The bill requires the 
University of Maine System to submit a report to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters by December 1, 2027 detailing the 
use of the funding and outcomes for participating students.  The joint standing committee 
may report out legislation related to the report.