ASCC’s Upward Bound Program to get
$906,400 over next four years
The American Samoa Community College’s Upward Bound Program has been awarded $226,600 for each year during the next four year cycle.
The announcement was made last week by Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin after he received official notification from the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education who oversees grants for Trio Upward Bound Programs.
ASCC has to compete against other programs from the fifty states and insular jurisdictions by submitting a grant proposal based on program evaluations and performance reports.
Funding priority and ranking are determined based on the qualifying score each proposal receives. From there, the amount of grant awards is allocated accordingly.
ASCC no longer has to apply co-jointly under the Northern Marianas College Upward Bound Program because in 2003, ASCC became a stand alone grantee, which meant they were qualified to apply for funds directly from the program.
“I am very pleased that these federal funds have become available for our high school students in American Samoa to improve their chances to succeed in college,” Faleomavaega said through a statement. “As I have always said, the key to our success as a community is in education and I strongly urge the parents of qualified high school students and the Upward Bound Program administrators at ASCC to take full advantage of this federal program and ensure its success and continuation in the future for our sons and daughters.”
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.
According to the Congressman, Upward Bound projects are designed to generate in its participants the skills and motivation necessary for success in education beyond secondary level. The program provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. Upward Bound serves high school students who are U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals from low-income families; high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree; and low-income, first generation military veterans who are preparing to enter postsecondary education
Faleomavaega congratulates ASCC President Dr. Adele Satele-Galea’i and her leadership team at ASCC “for their hard work and determination which is attributable to receiving this award.”
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