Today, the U.S. Department of Education awarded $292,189 to South Texas College under the Upward Bound Program.  Upward Bound projects are designed to help young adults develop the skills and motivation necessary for success in education beyond secondary school.  The grant awarded to South Texas College will support approximately 75 participants in Upward Bound programs.

“I congratulate Shirley Reed and her colleagues at South Texas College on receiving this grant.  With the work of dedicated people in our education system, we will see continued success and increased education opportunities for our young people,” said Rep. Cuellar.

Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance.  The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their pre-college performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits.  The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from colleges and universities.

The projects provided by Upward Bound serve 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 for post-secondary education.  These projects provide academic instruction in math, laboratory sciences, composition, literature and foreign languages.  Tutoring, counseling, mentoring, cultural enrichment and work-study programs are also supported by Upward Bound.

“Ensuring that every person who wants to pursue a college education is able to is a top priority of mine.  Programs like Upward Bound help to give students the tools, resources and motivation they need to be successful in reaching their academic goals,” said Cuellar.

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees in the 110th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Majority Senior Whip.
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