Upward Bound Selected to Receive $2.5 Million Grant Over Next Five Years

Texas Tech was selected to receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Education in the amount of $2.5 million during the next five years to help fund the Upward Bound Classic Program under the Division of Institutional Diversity, Equity & Community Engagement.

“We invested a significant amount of time and human capital to insure that our grant application would be highly competitive,” said Juan Munoz, vice president of the division. “Clearly, it was. It is also worth noting that Upward Bound remains a specific programmatic criteria, referenced by the Coordinating Board, for being NRUF eligible.”

The Upward Bound program has been continuously offered at Texas Tech since 1967.

Upward Bound is designed to provide the skills, tools, and motivation for high school students to enroll and complete college. The local program serves first-generation college-going students in 20 school districts within a 50-mile radius of the Lubbock area. The program is open to high school students who would be first-generation college students from limited-income families, and exhibit a high-level of academic commitment and achievement through their high school course work.

 “It takes a strong commitment to succeed in this program,” said Jesse Jalomo, managing director for Upward Bound at Texas Tech. “With the skill sets that Upward Bound provides, these students will be successful in post-secondary education.  They have a hunger – a strong desire to go and complete a college degree.”

The program receives 100 students at a time and exposes them to the collegiate life through college visits and prepares them for the academic rigors of college through tutoring sessions and supplemental instruction in core subjects, as well as enrichment courses. 

The grant will help fund various Upward Bound services, including:

• College-prep classes
• Tutoring sessions
• College tours
• Academic advising
• Financial aid advising
• Career counseling
• Volunteer opportunities

The Texas Tech Upward Bound program also is in competition for two math/science grants in the amount of $2.25 million per grant.

For more information on Upward Bound, visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/upwardbound/.