High school students will continue getting a boost from NIU’s Upward Bound program for four more years, thanks to a federal grant renewal.

The program helps low-income students prepare for possible entry into higher education. Students receive tutoring, financial aid and a free six-week stay at Grant Towers South during the summer.

Program Director Felicia Bohanon said she was thrilled at the news.

“I am very happy to get this grant renewal,” she said. “We make a commitment to the students to work with them for the four years that they are in high school. It allows us to continue that commitment to the students that we work with in Aurora and Rockford.”

Program Coordinator Derek Tyson said the program is very rewarding for all involved.

“It can be pretty rewarding because we are low-income and/or first-generation student program, so we are providing services to families with parents who probably didn’t get the chance to go to college, and/or probably couldn’t afford the services we provide to the students,” he said. “It’s a good feeling.”

The $1.8 million grant is worth every penny, said Leroy Mitchell, director of the CHANCE Program.

“It’s part of our mission as a public institution to serve those who normally would be left out or left behind,” he said. “We have to serve everybody, including the poor and disadvantaged. If we can break the cycle, and people can be moved from public aid, people should be rejoicing at this program.”

The program started in the 1960s and has become a regional and national success. Seventy percent of students in the program eventually go to college and earn a bachelor’s degree.

“The fact that over 700-plus programs are funded across the United States says something about how important this program really is,” Bohanon said.

Bohanon said NIU also benefits from the program.

“I think one of things that Northern gets out of the it is that a lot of students involved in the program decide that Northern is their choice for college,” she said. “After they have spent so much time here, they feel comfortable coming to Northern because they are familiar with the services that Northern offers.”