National Park College receives annual $257,500 grant
National Park College was recently informed it was awarded a federal grant for $1,287,500 to support students at two local high schools.
The grant will support the college’s Upward Bound program for students in grades 9-12 at Hot Springs World Class High School and Mountain Pine High School. The five-year grant will begin on Sept. 1 and will provide $257,500 each year from the U.S. Department of Education.
“Hot Springs School District is very excited to partner with National Park College’s Upward Bound grant program,” said Hot Springs Superintendent Stephanie Nehus. “Our district is committed to ensuring all students leave us prepared to be productive, contributing members of our community. An opportunity like this will allow students to gain an advantage by laying
a foundation for future success.”
“Mountain Pine School District is very excited about the opportunities the Upward Bound program will give our students,” said Mountain Pine Superintendent B.J. Applegate. “We feel Upward Bound will prepare 21st-century learners for the world after high school.”
Federal TRIO programs are outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post baccalaureate, as well as a training program for directors and staff of TRIO projects.
“The TRIO Upward Bound grant is highly sought after across the U.S.,” said John Tucker, NPC dean of students. “Through the services provided by the NPC Upward Bound program, students will participate in weekly tutoring sessions at their school districts.
“They will attend bimonthly Saturday enrichment sessions on the NPC campus, they will attend a six-week academic and cultural enrichment academy on the NPC campus during the summer, and they will have the opportunity to take six credits of college-level coursework during the summer after their high school graduation.”
Services will include academic tutoring, advice and assistance in secondary and postsecondary course selection, preparation for college entrance exams, information on financial aid programs and assistance in completing financial aid forms, guidance on secondary school re-entry and, entry into postsecondary education and financial literacy. Program services are divided into an academic year component and a summer component.
The academic year component includes after-school weekly tutorial services, weekly advising sessions, nine Saturday enrichment sessions, career exploration and cultural activities. The summer component includes a six-week nonresidential academy and Bridge Program, which will cover the cost of tuition for two college classes for each student in the summer after high school graduation.
“These services, provided by professional Upward Bound program staff, will ensure higher high school persistence rates, higher high school graduation rates, higher college-going rates and higher college-completion rates of program participants,” Tucker said. “The Student Affairs staff at NPC is thrilled about this very exciting opportunity for our area high school students.”
The grant is intended to help students be more successful in high school and better prepared for college. NPC’s Upward Bound program chose to target 60 low-income, first-generation students at two public schools.
“Upward Bound allows Arkansas students to expand their educational and professional opportunities,” said U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., a member of the Congressional TRiO Caucus. “This funding will prepare students for successful employment in the future.”