Loyola Marymount University’s Upward Bound program, which helps low-income high school students graduate and get into college, has received a $1.2 million U.S. Department of Education grant that will support its services for the next five years.
The new grant – the third award LMU has received from the federal agency – will fund Upward Bound with $257,500 annually through 2022. The program is housed within LMU’s School of Education.
“I am thrilled to continue serving the students at Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets for another five years,” said Norma Romero, director of Upward Bound at LMU.
Each year LMU’s Upward Bound program serves 58 students in grades 9 -12 at Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets (formerly Westchester High School). The program’s services include academic advising and workshops, tutoring, college visits, assistance with the college and financial aid application process, leadership and community service opportunities, along with a six-week residential summer program on LMU’s campus.
“While we are pleased with the work that has been done over the past ten years, there is always room to grow and improve,” Romero said. “This funding allows us the opportunity to further strengthen our partnership with the school, our students, and their families with the ultimate goal of developing scholars and leaders who will earn college degrees and make a positive impact on the world.”
LMU’s program began in 2007 with the goal of increasing high school graduation and college enrollment rates among low-income families in which neither parent has earned a bachelor’s degree.
Each member of the 2017 class has committed to colleges and universities including LMU, CSU Northridge, Occidental, San Francisco State, Santa Monica College, UC Berkeley, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara and USC.
These students will bring LMU’s number of Upward Bound program graduates to 126.
