Montgomery County Community College has lost federal funding for its Upward Bound program, a long-standing initiative designed to help low-income and first-generation high school students prepare for college. The U.S. Department of Education discontinued the grant, affecting a program that has served local communities for over 15 years.
The decision has created uncertainty for similar programs across the country, with other institutions reporting delays and concerns over the future of federal support for educational access initiatives.
Key Takeaways
- Montgomery County Community College's Upward Bound program had its federal funding terminated by the U.S. Department of Education.
- The college lost access to approximately $650,000 remaining from a $1.6 million five-year grant.
- The program, which started in 2007, assisted nearly 300 high school students from Norristown and Pottstown.
- Other colleges, like Community College of Philadelphia, faced funding delays and uncertainty before their grants were ultimately approved.
- The Department of Education stated it is evaluating all grants to ensure they align with administration policies focused on merit and fairness.
Federal Funding Cut for MCCC Program
Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) was notified in May that its federal grant for the Upward Bound program was being discontinued. The program provided essential resources to high school students from low-income families, many of whom would be the first in their families to attend college.
According to college spokesperson Diane VanDyke, the school lost access to about $650,000. This was the remaining amount from a $1.6 million five-year grant awarded in 2022. Since its inception in 2007, the program has helped nearly 300 students from Norristown and Pottstown develop the skills needed for success in higher education.
"This work was a vital part of our mission to expand access to all students and support student success," VanDyke said, highlighting the program's importance to the college's goals.
The college has requested a reconsideration of the decision but has not yet received a response.
What is Upward Bound?
Upward Bound is one of the federal TRIO programs, which were established in the 1960s to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds. These programs provide academic tutoring, counseling, mentoring, and financial guidance to encourage students to pursue and complete postsecondary education. According to federal data, TRIO programs receive over $1 billion in annual funding and operate in more than 2,000 institutions nationwide.
Wider Uncertainty Among Educational Institutions
The situation at MCCC is part of a broader pattern of uncertainty surrounding federal education grants. Other colleges have experienced delays and feared similar funding cuts. Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) recently went through a period of concern when its August funding for its own Upward Bound program did not arrive on schedule.
Aimie Contarino, the program director at CCP, said the college received a letter allowing it to operate for one more month with remaining funds. The college was later notified that its funding, part of a $1.8 million five-year grant, was approved. "We’re thrilled," Contarino said, expressing relief.
Despite the positive outcome, she remains worried about future funding. "It feels like at any moment they might decide something new, and it’s scary," she added. This sentiment is shared by many program administrators who rely on federal support.
National Funding Impact
Kimberly Jones, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education, described the nationwide delay in TRIO funding disbursement as a "shock wave." She estimated that approximately $660 million was temporarily withheld from more than 2,000 programs, forcing many to limit services or temporarily shut down.
Department of Education Explains Increased Scrutiny
The U.S. Department of Education has indicated that the delays and terminations are the result of a new review process. The administration is evaluating all federal grants to ensure they meet specific criteria.
In a statement to Inside Higher Education, department spokesperson Ellen Keast explained the administration's position.
"The Trump Administration is no longer allowing taxpayer dollars to go out the door on autopilot — we are evaluating every federal grant to ensure they are in line with the administration’s policy of prioritizing merit, fairness, and excellence in education," Keast said.
The termination letter sent to MCCC cited several reasons for the decision. It stated the program was among those that "violate the letter or purpose of Federal civil rights law; conflict with the Department’s policy of prioritizing merit, fairness, and excellence in education; undermine the well-being of the students these programs are intended to help; or constitute an inappropriate use of federal funds."
In contrast, some institutions have not been affected. Temple University reported that its Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science programs, which serve nearly 150 Philadelphia students, have not been flagged for funding loss. "In fact, we just received the Year 4 Grant Award Notification for UBMS a few weeks ago," said spokesperson Steve Orbanek.
The Human Impact of Upward Bound
For students, the impact of these programs is significant and often life-changing. At CCP, the potential loss of funding prompted an effort to collect testimonials from alumni to demonstrate the program's value.
Success Stories from CCP Alumni
- Ghanashyam Gautam, who was born in a refugee camp in Nepal, credited Upward Bound with giving him the structure he needed after moving to the U.S. The program helped him apply to 14 colleges and secure scholarships. He is now a software engineer.
- Maria Cabrera, a first-generation college student, said the program "opened up my world to outside North Philadelphia." She received SAT prep, visited college campuses, and received crucial mentoring. Today, she has an MBA and works for the same Upward Bound program that helped her.
Current students also rely heavily on the support. Deshaun Semple, a 17-year-old senior, said the program helped him maintain a 3.6 GPA. "I really maintained my GPA because of the assistance I got here," he said.
Asheilia Hernandez, another 17-year-old senior, explained that her parents did not attend college and were unfamiliar with the application process. "Being in this program helped me understand what I need for college and helped me grow as a person," Hernandez said. "These people are my family."