Press Releases

Kerry, Brown, Tierney, Olver, McGovern, Tsongas, Lynch Announce $20 Mil to Help Veterans, Students Succeed

Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown, along with Representatives John Tierney, John Olver, Jim McGovern, Niki Tsongas, and Stephen F. Lynch, today announced that Massachusetts will receive over $20 million from the U.S. Department of Education's Upward Bound Program to help veterans and high school students from low-income families apply for and succeed in college.

The Department of Education says they anticipate the grants will be awarded annually for five years.

-Massachusetts leads the nation with almost 54 percent of our young adults earning college degrees, but there are returning veterans and low-income families who deserve an extra hand to join that list of college graduates and skilled members of the workforce. This investment will keep our state on top by making sure that veterans and kids from low-income families get all the tools to graduate ready to compete and win,- said Sen. Kerry.

-These grants will help a lot of Massachusetts students and provide access to needed education assistance programs. This type of assistance is crucial for low-income and first generation students,- said Sen. Brown.

-These grants will help Salem State University and North Shore Community College continue to serve students of all backgrounds - returning veterans, those from low-income households, first-generation Americans, and others who are looking to achieve their education goals. It is imperative that Congress continue to make the necessary investments in education priorities, such as Upward Bound,- said Rep. Tierney.

-I am pleased that the Department of Education has awarded almost $1 million in funding for three Upward Bound programs in the First Congressional District,- said Rep. Olver. -This funding allows Fitchburg State University, UMass Amherst and the Northfield Mount Hermon School to continue to ensure that all the students are given the support they need to continue their education,- said Congressman John Olver. -Upward Bound is a tremendously successful program that provides low income and first generation students across the nation with the support and services they need to succeed.-

-I have seen firsthand the incredible work that YOU, Inc. does in Worcester, and I am pleased that they will be receiving this federal grant,- said Rep. McGovern. -The TRIO program plays a vital role in ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to get a quality education.-

-Having worked at a community college for more than a decade, I know the benefit that TRIO and Upward Bound can have in helping students thrive and succeed in the classroom and beyond,- said Rep. Tsongas. -I congratulate Middlesex Community College, Fitchburg State, and the other Massachusetts schools that were awarded these federal funds today.-

"The Upward Bound/TRIO program provides critical assistance and instruction to our young people, helping them to succeed in their current studies and beyond,- said Rep. Lynch. -I am pleased to see that these grants will continue to help students here in Massachusetts.-

The Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance in addition to opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. The overall goal of the program is to increase the rate at which participants enroll in and graduate from colleges or universities. Opportunities provided include academic instruction, college visits, on-campus programs, tutoring, counseling, mentoring, cultural enrichment, and work-study programs.

The following schools and programs have received funding:

Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg, MA

$363,365 annually for 5 years

TOTAL: $1,816,825

Salem State University

Salem, MA

$325,395 annually for 5 years

TOTAL: $1,626,975

Boston University

Boston, MA

$385,473 annually for 5 years

TOTAL: $1,927,365

University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Amherst, MA

$249,968 annually for 5 years

TOTAL: $1,249,840

University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth

North Dartmouth, MA

$360,000 annually for 5 years

TOTAL: $1,800,000

Bristol Community College

Fall River, MA

$345,431 annually for 5 years

TOTAL: $1,727,155

Northfield Mount Hermon School

Mount Hermon, MA

$363,856 annually for 5 years

TOTAL: $1,819,280

Suffolk University

Boston, MA

$262,500 annually for 5 years

TOTAL: $1,312,500

University of Massachusetts - Boston

Boston, MA

$565,178 annually for 5 years

TOTAL: $2,825,890

Youth Opportunities Upheld, Inc.

Worcester, MA

$294,000 annually for 5 years

TOTAL: $1,470,000

Middlesex Community College

Lowell, MA

$250,000 annually for 5 years

TOTAL: $1,250,000

The Education Resources Institute

Boston, MA

$250,000 annually for 5 years

TOTAL: $1,250,000

North Shore Community College

Danvers, MA

Continuing Award