SAN LUIS OBISPO, C.A. – Congresswoman Lois Capps announced today federal grants totaling $1,550,000 for the Cal Poly’s Upward Bound program.  The federal grants were awarded by the Department of Education as part of the TRIO programs, which are educational opportunity outreach programs designed to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Beginning in middle school, TRIO outreach programs target low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities and encourage these students to pursue higher education. With the four-year grant, Upward Bound, one of Cal Poly’s TRIO programs, will continue to motivate and prepare local low-income, first generation college bound, high school students to pursue a post-secondary education.

The Upward Bound academic outreach program and the residential summer school session at Cal Poly offer academic courses, Saturday colleges, tutoring, career advisement, supplemental instruction, cultural and other enrichment activities. Schools participating in Cal Poly Upward Bound include Arroyo Grande High School, Nipomo High School, Ernest Righetti High School, Santa Maria High School and Pioneer Valley High School, as well as ten additional junior high and middle “feeder” schools.

“I am pleased that Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo County and the Santa Maria community will be benefiting from this much needed federal grant,” said Capps, a former educator.  “The TRIO Upward Bound program provides many important outreach and assistance services to disadvantaged students to support them in their pursuit of educational excellence.  Cal Poly’s Upward Bound program helps ensure that all middle school and high school students in our community are encouraged to go to college.  Upward Bound also provides academic resources to disadvantaged students once they’re enrolled at Cal Poly to help them succeed in college.  Outreach programs such as Upward Bound play a critical role in ensuring that all of our students have access to the benefits of higher education and that our college campuses reflect the diversity of experiences and backgrounds that are found throughout our communities.  It is my hope that Congress will expand and strengthen these important higher education support programs that open the doors of opportunity for all of our students.”

Susan Sparling, director of Student Academic Services, and interim director of Cal Poly’s Upward Bound program, is excited that the 25-year-old program has received funding. “The grant competition is quite challenging and we feel honored to have again been selected,” Sparling said. “The award will provide academic year and summer program services for 80 selected students at the five target schools and will allow participants to successfully prepare for and enter higher education.”

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.