PIERRE – South Dakota State University Upward Bound is the recipient of a $20,000 South Dakota Fund Grant award, the South Dakota Community Foundation announced last week.
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PIERRE – South Dakota State University Upward Bound is the recipient of a $20,000 South Dakota Fund Grant award, the South Dakota Community Foundation announced last week.
The SDSU Upward Bound project serves students in high schools where both poverty and the number of first-generation college students are high. Students served by the project come from the Flandreau Public and Flandreau Indian schools and Sioux Falls Washington and Roosevelt high schools.
“The support from the South Dakota Community Foundation will allow us to enrich the lives of students who are working to become the first in their family to go to college,” Upward Bound Director Samantha Contarino said. “With these funds, we will be able to host more college visits and more cultural activities to expand their minds and worldview.”
Upward Bound’s goal is to work with students and help them attain a successful post-secondary education. Students receive advice, tutoring, preparation for the Smarter Balance and ACT tests and exposure to college prep courses, career exploration and cultural enrichment experiences.
Family members are also asked to be supportive of the student by encouraging them to spend time on homework and providing a proper study environment. There is an education component included for families where they cover topics such as financial aid, student support and the importance of academic diligence.
In addition, a six-week summer residential academy is provided in June/July at SDSU for approximately 45 participants who will be entering grades 9-12 as well as graduated seniors. They do follow-up contact with students to address their concerns.
“Studies show that a post-secondary education has a profound effect on our wage earning potential,” SDCF program officer Ginger Niemann said. “The SDCF is proud to partner with SDSU Upward Bound as they work to increase post-secondary success for students who come from poverty or are the first generation in their family to go to college.”
The South Dakota Community Foundation awards South Dakota Fund grants on an ongoing basis. For more information or to apply for a grant, visit SDCommunityFoundation.org/SDFund.
