Broward College Receives $3.9 Million in U.S. Department of Education TRIO Grants to Help Local Disadvantaged High School Students Access and Succeed in College

Fort Lauderdale, FL (June 7, 2017) – Broward College is the recipient of three U.S. Department of Education TRIO Upward Bound grants. The grants will help support activities and provide financial incentives for students to participate in enrichment programs at three high poverty, low performing high schools. The awards, totaling $3.9 million over five years, will support a total of 180 students each year at Deerfield Beach High School, McArthur High School, and South Broward High School.

Upward Bound is one of eight federal grants in a collective program known as the Federal TRIO programs, which identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO help low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs. Upward Bound alumni include Viola Davis, Patrick Ewing and Oprah Winfrey.

“These grants will help low-income, first generation, or academically disadvantaged high school students develop the skills needed to become successful college students,” said Broward College President J. David Armstrong, Jr. “The additional funding brings much-needed resources to our underserved high schools and the communities they serve. In effect, these programs offer opportunities many students would not otherwise be afforded.”

The TRIO grant will offer students career exploration, advising, college and FASFA application guidance, course and program mapping, and more. Selected freshman, sophomore and juniors also will participate in a six-week summer institute. In addition, there will be an eight-week JumpStart program provided for high school graduates. 

“We are looking at students whose academic performance does not reflect their potential to do well in higher education,” said Kareen Torres, district director for grants development at Broward College. “What we are finding at the high school level is that, with the right resources and intensive services to support them, not only will students stay in school but also graduate on time.”

Upward Bound is the second TRIO grant awarded to Broward College. In 2016, the institution received a U.S. Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) Grant, totaling $1.18 million over five years, to fund Project ENROLL (Educational Network for Readiness and Opportunities for Lifelong Learning). Project ENROLL works to encourage residents in communities with low college enrollment to continue their education.

For more information on Broward College, please visit www.broward.edu.

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