Central Arizona College Receives Upward Bound Grant

By Angela Askey, Executive Director Public Relations and Marketing

Central Arizona College was recently awarded a $1.3 million Upward Bound Grant to assist first generation and low income students in preparing for a college education. This Federal Grant, provided through the United States Department of Education, will provide CAC with $264,000 each year for five years.

CAC will offer academic enrichment and summer program opportunities for 60 students attending Casa Grande Union, Vista, and Coolidge High Schools.

Fifteen hours of academic enrichment activities each month will allow students to receive tutoring assistance and workshops focused on time management, transitioning to college and academic success.

Another component of the Upward Bound grant is a new Steps to College Summer Institute. This six-week program will offer a multitude of activities along with a five-day residential living component to help prepare students for their college career. The Institute will be free to those who attend.

The Upward Bound program is one of the TRIO Suite programs. CAC has a received funding for the past 12 years for TRIO Student Support Services. The U.S. Department of Education appropriates more than $900 million each year for all TRIO programs throughout the nation and US Territories.