FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington was recenlty selected to receive a $20 million, seven-year Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs state grant by the U.S. Department of Education to help students who are at risk in Maine prepare for and be successful in postsecondary education, according to a UMF press release.

“This grant is a wonderful asset for Maine and Maine students,” Kathryn A. Foster, UMF president, said in the release. “Its implementation will help inspire all Maine students to strive beyond high school and realize their potential. UMF looks forward to working closely with our partners and supporters so we can help improve student achievement and continue to advance Maine’s future.”

The Maine grant is projected to serve up to 7,600 students annually from 63 high-poverty, rural schools in 26 districts. In addition, 19 external partners representing a wide spectrum of educational and business organizations will be working in support of the grant’s goals.

Maine is one of 10 states to receive the 2014 state grant, with grantees recently announced by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Thirty-one partnership grants were also awarded. As the sole institution of higher education in Maine receiving the state grant, UMF will serve as the award’s fiscal agent, with Syntiro, a non-profit based in Readfield, providing the administration.

Participants in the grant will work closely with students from low-income families beginning in seventh-grade to help improve their academic performance and increase the rate of high school graduation. In addition it will work to increase students’ and their families’ knowledge of post-secondary education, financial literacy and the options available to them.

For the first year of the new grant, UMF will receive about $2.9 million. The total $20 million in federal dollars will be matched by non-federal dollars from 46 partners across the state.