FARMINGTON — A grant that renews funding for the Upward Bound program at the University of Maine Farmington was announced by the U.S. Department of Education Thursday.

Under the grant, the program will receive $250,000 per year for five years.

Rep. Mike Michaud called the grant “very welcome news” in a written statement.

“I know that the staff in Farmington will continue to do an outstanding job helping Maine students reach their goal of earning a college degree,” Michaud said.

Upward Bound aims to help disadvantaged students develop the skills and motivation they need to succeed in college, according to the program’s website. This year, the program’s enrollment will include approximately 139 students.