Upward Bound Program Receives Grant of More Than $337,000

Federal funds will enable SHU to continue helping Bridgeport students

Sacred Heart University’s Upward Bound program, which has been on campus for 32 years, has received a $337,052 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help students prepare for college. The grant will fund the program in the upcoming academic year. Upward Bound is the longest federally funded program at Sacred Heart.

Upward Bound is a federally funded, college preparatory program that prepares students for the next level of education, increasing the number of young people who continue their studies following high school. The program operates from September through May each year, with an intensive, six-week, summer component from June to August.

The program’s purpose is to help students succeed in high school and go on to complete post-secondary education. Staff members help students master core academic concepts and improve social skills through one-on-one counseling. Students also benefit from individual tutoring, SAT preparation, peer interactions, cultural enrichment trips, college fair visits, workshops and scholarship opportunities.

Upward Bound works with Bridgeport youth who are 13 to 19 years old and considered underserved or first-generation college students. Federal guidelines also specify that students be at high risk of academic distress and in need of support. Additionally, they must be enrolled in a Bridgeport high school–Bassick, Central or Harding—or Fairchild Wheeler Interdistrict Magnet High School.

In addition to Saturday workshops, students spend six intensive weeks on campus during the summer taking high school courses as well as introductory college level courses to expose them to possible college majors or careers.

“We are incredibly grateful for this grant, as it has provided so many wonderful opportunities for Bridgeport students to imagine, dream and achieve their goals of attending college and entering the workforce in their chosen field. We are blessed to have Upward Bound alumni who support our program by reaching out and mentoring our current students,” said Carylanne Rice-Ehalt, Upward Bound executive director.