For Immediate Release

12 June 2006

BLOOMSBURG— Fifty students from 10 area high schools will take part in the Upward Bound program at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania from June 18 through July 27.

Upward Bound is a program established by the U.S. Department of Education that provides young people with opportunities and assistance to explore their potential for academic, social and personal growth. It provides equal access to post secondary education for high school students by giving them adequate preparation, according to Maureen Mulligan, director of Upward Bound at Bloomsburg University. 

School districts affiliated with the program are Berwick, Bloomsburg, Mahanoy Area, Milton, Minersville, Mount Carmel, North Schuylkill, Pottsville, Shamokin and Shikellamy.

Students will be housed on campus and served meals at no charge to the family, in the Scranton Commons. The program anticipates receiving $8,000 from the Summer Food Service Program for Children. There is no discrimination in food service or any other Upward Bound activities.

The Bloomsburg Upward Bound policy provides that all young people have equal access to the benefits of the Summer Food Service Program, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age (within statutory limits) or handicap. 

Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in USDA-related activity should contact the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250.

Family size and 2004-05 annual income guidelines for free and reduced price meals are as follows: one person, up to $17,705; two people, up to $23,736; three people, up to $29,767; four people, up to $35,798; five people, up to $41,829; six people, up to $47,860; seven people, up to $53,891; and eight people, up to $59,922. For each additional family member, add $6,031 to the income limit.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 8,000 students and offers 65 bachelor’s, 17 master’s and one doctoral degree.

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