Delegation Announces $6M for Upward Bound

Press Release

Delegation Announces $6M for Upward Bound

U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, and U.S. Representatives Marion Berry, Vic Snyder, John Boozman, and Mike Ross today announced 18 higher education institutions will split over $6 million in Upward Bound Grants.

Over 1200 Arkansas students will participate in Upward Bound, which provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The goal of Upward Bound is to provide opportunities for students to reach success in high school, and ultimately in their higher education pursuits.

"Upward Bound is a valuable program that helps thousands of students in Arkansas and across the country reach their full academic potential," Lincoln said. "These federal dollars will allow our colleges and universities to continue to expand educational opportunities to students across Arkansas."

"Upward Bound's innovative curriculum expands students horizons on both personal and academic levels," said Pryor. "These funds are well deserved and will make a positive, lasting impact on the participants, their families and local communities."

"I applaud the Upward Bound Program's commitment to helping underprivileged students in academic and personal development," said Berry. "Investing in our young people through educational opportunities is a win-win situation for students and our nation's future."

"Upward Bound is a valuable program that works toward meeting the educational needs of our state," said Snyder. "This grant is great news for our Arkansas colleges and universities."

"Upward Bound is an investment in the future of Arkansas, and I congratulate the schools who have received the money to create a path for our children to succeed in college," Boozman said. "The more college success we create in Arkansas will lead directly to a better educated work force and better wages for all."

"It is important that we make every effort to provide our students who plan to enter an institution of higher learning with the knowledge and preparation needed to succeed," Ross said. "The Upward Bound program is vital to helping Arkansas's young people receive a world class education so that they may secure jobs in the ever changing global economy."

Upward Bound, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Education, serves high school students from low-income families, high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree, and low-income, first-generation military veterans who are preparing to enter postsecondary education.

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