Texas State received $3.6 million, helping low-income students

By Preethi Mangadu

Chief Editor of News

SAN MARCOS—Texas State University (TXST) has been awarded $3.6 million by the U.S. Department of Education through two federal Upward Bound grants. These grants are to support students, many being low-income and first-generation students. 

Upward Bound is a federal TRIO program that supports college access and retention for high school students as they prepare for postsecondary education. The program’s goal is “to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education,” according to the U.S. Department of Education. 

Upward Bound is set to provide many opportunities in literature, composition, foreign language, mathematics and science. Furthermore, the program will include tutoring, mentoring, support for college applications, advice on financial aid, and more guidance to be successful in college. 

As reported by the U.S. Department of Education, more than 70,000 students enrolled in Upward Bound programs in the United States in FY21 and 86% of students involved in the program enroll in postsecondary education right after high school. 

“Upward Bound along with the other TRIO programs create education pathways for underrepresented students from diverse backgrounds in communities across the country,” said Codero. “These programs help change generational trajectories by helping students attain four-year degrees and share their passion and talents in the communities they live in. Upward Bound’s success stories are vast and our students pay their success forward to those that come after them. #TRIOWorks!”

In 1964, Upward Bound was created as a response to the War on Poverty in the Economic Opportunity Act. It then became the first federal TRIO program to be authorized by the Higher Education Act. 

To read more about the program, visit the federal Upward Bound program webpage.

Featured Image by Preethi Mangadu.