WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Capps announced today federal grants totaling $414,076 for the University of California Santa Barbara’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.

“I am pleased that UCSB and the Santa Barbara County community will be benefiting from this much needed federal grant,” said Capps, a former educator and UCSB alumnus.  “The TRIO Upward Bound program provides many important outreach and assistance services to disadvantaged students to support them in their pursuit of educational excellence.  UCSB’s Upward Bound program helps ensure that all middle school and high school students in Santa Barbara County are encouraged to go to college.  Upward Bound also provides academic resources to disadvantaged students once they’re enrolled at UCSB 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.”

 “We are pleased that the Upward Bound program at UC Santa Barbara has received a four-year award from the Department of Education for the next grant cycle,” said Joanne Madison Director, Upward Bound Program.  “There are hundreds of low-income, first-generation college bound students who will continue to benefit from the academic services provided by our program. Upward Bound is committed to continuing its outreach to disadvantaged students in Santa Barbara County.

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