This year’s Mitchell Scholars will be headed to college with a little extra cash to help with academic expenses.

The 129 Maine high school graduates selected for the award by the Senator George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute will each receive a $6,000 scholarship — a $1,000 increase over the previous year’s awards.

“We know that college costs are rising even as family resources are diminishing,” said Sen. George Mitchell, who founded the Mitchell Institute that awards the scholarships annually. “This decision to increase the scholarship signals our commitment to Maine’s students, and to the future of this great state.”

Scholarships are awarded to one graduating senior from every public high school in the state based on academic potential, community service and financial need.

Nearly two-thirds of Mitchell Scholars come from families where neither parent holds a four-year degree and whose household incomes are below the state median.

“These are students for whom the scholarship will make a real difference and who will, in turn, make a difference in their communities,” Mitchell said.

According to the institute, nearly 90 percent of past Mitchell Scholars live and work in Maine or intend to do so within the next five years. They have also devoted nearly 30,000 hours to community service in the past year.

Scholars also are given access to the institute’s support programs, including community service projects, leadership and professional development, mentoring opportunities and summer employment fellowships.

More than 1,800 Maine students have been supported by the program, with scholarships totaling more than $8 million.