FARMINGTON — University of Maine at Farmington officials were “honored and thrilled” to hear that $550,000 in federal funds to help launch an advanced internship program passed the first step in the federal budget process.

The money was sought to help link student interns and local small businesses and organizations and expand the program.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, announced Tuesday that she had successfully secured initial approval of the funding.

“There are more steps to go before the budget is finalized by Congress this fall,” said Mary Sylvester, director of Alumni Relations and University Advancement, who helped develop the proposal for Collin’s staff. “But this was a crucial approval and a testimony of the good situation (the request) is in.”

The University already works with community partners in Western Maine providing internships for many students within businesses, schools and areas of health and rehabilitation. From that, a need and concern surfaced, she said.

“A need for some additional expertise and ‘hands on’ helpers during these challenging economic times when there’s no money available to hire new employees,” Sylvester said.

On the other hand, the work also creates “hands on” learning experiences for student interns.

The University approached Collins to see if any funding was available to help link students and the community by launching an advanced internship program.

In a released statement, Collins acknowledged the need to help economic development in Western Maine.

“This funding will encourage further economic development and help create much-needed jobs in Western Maine,” she said.

The University hopes to establish a clearinghouse on campus to link community needs and students.

“The community would have a point of contact and we could expand and strengthen the intern program,” she said.

While student interns are currently working for organizations such as the United Way and the Healthy Community Coalition, according to their course of study, perhaps the best example of internship in action is the student teacher, she explained. With he or she working in the classroom, it’s a model of internship in action.

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