Holt Announces $394,260 Grant to Mercer County Community College

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Rush Holt today announced that Mercer County Community College has received a $394,260 federal grant for its Upward Bound program, which provides tutoring, counseling, and other academic support to at-risk and low-income high school students in Trenton.

"As an educator, I've seen firsthand the power of higher education to change lives," said Holt. "But for too many low-income families in our community, a college education seems out of reach. This grant will help to build a path to college for more than 400 Trenton students, transforming their lives and strengthening our region's economy."

"Upward Bound has a proven track record of academic success with Trenton students," said Patricia C. Donohue, Ph.D., the president of Mercer County Community College. "This award will allow us to assist another 425 through high school, into college, and beyond. Nearly 100 percent of Upward Bound graduates go to college, and most graduate on time."

Upward Bound is an educational program offered during the summer and academic year for high school students from low-income families, as well as those from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. Upward Bound seeks to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary school and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. It strives to develop the academic and personal skills a student will need to successfully complete college.

Upward Bound services include academic tutoring, advice and assistance in course election, preparation for college entrance exams, support in completing the college admission process, and information on federal student financial aid programs.

Further information on Mercer County Community College's Upward Bound program is available at http://www.mccc.edu/upwardbound/.

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