Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced that colleges and universities in San Antonio may receive up to $9,046,355 over the next five years to help high school students prepare for higher education, via Upward Bound grants from the U.S. Department of Education. Congressman Cuellar helped increase the funding for this program in the Appropriations Committee.

The funds come from Upward Bound grants from the U.S. Department of Education, as part of the TRIO Program. Congressman Cuellar helped increase the funding for the TRIO Program in the Appropriations Committee to $950 million for the 2017 fiscal year – an increase of $50 million from the fiscal year 2016 budget.

Upward Bound grants are designed to help high school students prepare for, gain acceptance to, and afford higher education. They provide weekend tutoring and work on improving high school grade point averages, increasing their test scores, helping with financial aid and scholarship forms, and assisting with the college application process.

For example, St. Mary’s University of San Antonio, Texas will receive $270,375 targeted specifically to 63 high school students at the Judson and Karen Wagner High Schools in the Judson Independent School District, which are within Congressman Cuellar’s district. The grants are expected to continue for five years in a row, so the college may receive that amount annually for the next five years.

“I fought to increase the funding for this program, because I know what a difference Upward Bound grants can make for high school students aspiring to higher education,” explained Congressman Cuellar. “I know our local colleges and universities will use these funds to give local students in northeast San Antonio the opportunity to succeed. I will work in the Appropriations Committee to ensure that it continues for the full five years, so more students can take advantage of this program.”

Thomas M. Mengler, J.D., President of St. Mary’s University, said, “We are grateful to receive this grant, which will enable us to provide outreach to dozens of students from the under-served Judson Independent School District. We take pride in providing opportunities for first-generation and low-income students to pursue higher education and a successful, fulfilling career path.”

Cumulatively, Palo Alto College, St. Mary’s University of San Antonio, San Antonio College, and the University of Texas at San Antonio will receive $1,809,271 in the first year of the program, and may receive more than $9 million over the five year period.

Other schools throughout Congressman Cuellar’s district will also receive grants from this program.