MSU's Upward Bound program, which assists first-generation college students, will be discontinued due to a denial of a grant request, MSU Spokesperson Jason Cody said.
According the Upward Bound website, the purpose of the program is to allow "disadvantaged youths, and those with first-generation college status to successfully complete their high school careers as well as become college ready."
The program was established in the 1960's through the Civil Rights Act, MSU Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education R. Sekhar Chivukula said via email.
"Unfortunately, an error occurred in the final stages of submission and the electronic renewal document submitted was missing a crucial required piece of the application package. The renewal funding application was therefore rejected without review," Chivukula said.
The program will end on May 31 and funds will be gone by that time, Chivukula said.
MSU will work with parents and school districts to implement new programs to make up for the loss of the Upward Bound program Cody said.
"We will work to make sure there is little or no effect on these students. In addition, more generally, we also have other college-focused TRIO programs (which serve different students) which will continue," Chivukula said.
MSU will reapply for the grant when the application is open, Cody said.
Lansing School District Superintendent Yvonne Caamal Canul was unavailable for comment. The U.S. Department of Education did not respond to request for comment at the time of publication.
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