NMC awarded $1.3 million Upward Bound grant

The Nebraska Methodist College Upward Bound Program has been awarded a second $1.3 million grant by the U.S. Department of Education, this time to fund an Upward Bound Math and Science project to work exclusively with Benson High School students.

This is the second Upward Bound grant for Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) this year. NMC will receive $263,938 each year for five years. Through this grant, NMC will serve at least 60 Upward Bound Math and Science students from Benson High School annually.

"We are beyond thrilled to have this new opportunity to serve a new population of high school students at Benson High," said Kevin Bailey, director of the NMC Upward Bound program. "Upward Bound Math and Science will offer vital services and instruction to low-income and first-generation students to ensure that they have the same opportunities as their peers to go to college and to encourage these students to pursue majors and careers in the STEM fields. Upward Bound is an essential program for addressing the achievement gap that exists in this country in regards to the college enrollment rates of low-income students."

Through the grant, NMC will serve eligible students at Benson High School, and will offer after-school tutoring through a unique partnership with City Light Church Benson. Other services offered include mentoring, ACT prep, financial literacy training and college application and enrollment assistance, college visits, and exposure to real-world STEM careers and lab science opportunities.

 In addition, NMC hosts a six-week summer program with instruction in the core academic areas and electives, as well as a summer bridge program for graduating seniors to take college credit.  

"This grant will allow us to expand our current Upward Bound program to a second high school and to continue making a positive impact in the community," Bailey said. "We believe this kind of commitment to improving the lives of community members outside of our campus is essential to NMC's mission, and we're so excited to begin serving Upward Bound students at Benson High School."  

NMC receives no other sources for funding for its Upward Bound program, and 100 percent of the U.S. Department of Education grant is used for the college's program.