Coastal Bend College Awarded $3.2 million for Upward Bound Program

For Immediate Release: June 12, 2017

Contact: Bernie Saenz, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, (361) 354-2258

BEEVILLE– Coastal Bend College’s Upward Bound program has been awarded $3,257,375 in the form of two TRIO program grants to help high school students prepare for and enter college. The grants total $651,475 per year for the next five years.

“Upward Bound has been at Coastal Bend College since 1975 and this funding will enable us to keep the tradition going for another five years.  Everything we do is for the kids. Every year is a new experience and we continue to think outside of the box for new innovative ways to service our students,” said Cheryl Baird, TRIO Upward Bound Project Director.

Upward Bound is a free, year-round college preparatory program for high school students. The goal of the program is to prepare low income, potential first generation college bound students for success in post-secondary education. Students attending a target school must qualify in order to be eligible for the Upward Bound program. Once selected, students remain in the program until their graduation from high school and completion of their first summer semester of college.

In order to receive assistance from Upward Bound, students must be: 

1. Low income and/or potential first generation college (neither parent has a bachelor’s degree)
   2. At least 13 years old
   3. Entering the 9th or 10th grade of high school
   4. Be a student attending a target school
   5. Be a citizen, national, or a permanent resident of the U.S.

From September through May, students attend classes on select Saturdays. Instruction is offered in mathematics, laboratory science, English, reading, writing, speech, Spanish, and life management skills which include study skills, career awareness, and related topics.
During summertime starting in June, Upward Bound students attend a six-week summer program. Classes, cultural events, and field trips are held from Sunday evening through Thursday afternoon. The summer program offers instruction in mathematics, English, laboratory science, foreign language, life management skills, computer science and fine arts.
After graduating from high school, qualifying Upward Bound students enroll at Coastal Bend College for their first summer semester. Students are assisted with the admission and financial aid process, as well as their academic transition to college. In addition, tutoring, counseling, and various other services are offered. The Upward Bound bridge program provides tuition, housing, and supplies.

For more information on Upward Bound, please call (361) 354-2715 or visit coastalbend.edu/ub

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