East Central University was recently awarded five new TRIO grants from the U.S. Department of Education, totaling nearly $2 million in yearly funding for the next five years.
“Each of the grants serves a group within the surrounding communities,” said Dr. Brandon Hill, vice president of Student Development at ECU. “The renewed funding allows ECU to continue to serve those populations in pursuing and achieving a college education.”
Upward Bound
Two Upward Bound Programs will serve a total of 184 students from 19 schools, and an Upward Bound Math Science Program will serve 66 students from seven schools.
Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits.
Upward Bound serves high school students from low-income families in addition to high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.
ECU Veterans Upward Bound
The ECU Veterans Upward Bound Program, directed for 23 years by Mary Meeks, will help prepare 129 service veterans, guard members and reservists, who are wanting to pursue a postsecondary education, whether a technical/vocational school or 2- or 4- year college.
Veterans Upward Bound can help a veteran explore career options, find a school with an appropriate program of study, and assist with the admission process. This may include obtaining copies of transcripts, paying application fees, etc. The program can assist with understanding the cost of attendance, completing applications for financial aid, VA Education Benefits, and other sources of aid to help fund the veteran’s education.
VUB also assists with academic readiness to ensure a veteran is prepared for college-level coursework.
McNair Scholars
The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, directed by Yul Dotson for seven years, will serve 28 eligible participants within ECU’s 11-county service area. The McNair Scholars Program is designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities.
McNair participants are either first-generation college students with financial need, or members of a group that is traditionally underrepresented in graduate education and have demonstrated strong academic potential. The goal of the McNair Scholars Program is to increase graduate degree awards for students from underrepresented segments of society.