Program News

Help Arkansas Support Network facilitate Family Field Day
Arkansas Support Network is looking for volunteers to work our Family Field Day event on Saturday, May 2nd.   If you are interested in volunteering, please review the attached information about the event and email Candia Nicholas at cnicholas@supports.org.
 

 
May 2, 2009 * 8am-2pm * NWA Mall
 
Sign up today by visiting www.familyfieldday.org
 
Events include: 1k/Fun Run * 5K for All Ages * Track Meet Style Events * Outdoor Activities for the Entire Family * Live Entertainment by Jed Clampit and Trout Fishing in America
 
Each School participating has the opportunity to win the GOLDEN SHOE AWARD. This award will be a glorious trophy that the winning school can proudly display for one year. The winning school also receives $500 to spend on equipment needs for their physical education program. The first 50 pre-registered students will receive a pizza party at their school! What are you waiting for? Sign up today!
 
• 1k/Fun Run, Activities and Live Entertainment is free to the public.
 
• Pre-registration for the 5k is $15 for children and $20 for adults and includes a t-shirt and goody bag. Registration day of the event: $20 for kids and $25 for adults.
 
• Family Field Day t-shirts are available to purchase online.
 
• Register by visiting www.familyfieldday.org, or talk to your P.E. program director at your school.
 
www.familyfieldday.org

Ngoc Huynh Named 1 of 300 Nationally to Receive $20,000 as a 2009 Dell Scholar!!
Congratulations to Ngoc Huynh, participant in the Upward Bound Math Science Academy at the University of Arkansas, who has been awarded 1 of 2 Dell Scholarships in the state of Arkansas. We are so so PROUD!! As a Dell Scholar, Ngoc will receive $20,000 for the next six years. More than just a check, the Dell Scholars Program also provides its students with technology, resources and mentoring to ensure they have the support they need to obtain a college degree. To learn more about the Dell Program and how to become a Dell Scholar visit www.dellscholars.org.

Dr. Vance Simelton Scholarship and the AASAP Robbie Lyle Scholarship
The deadline to have applications turned in this year is June 1st. The details for submitting applications are listed at the bottom of each of the applications.
 
YOU MUST REQUEST APPLICATIONS FROM ENA, JASON, RICKEY, or FRANCESCA
 
Please note that the eligibility criteria for the AASAP Robbie Lyle Scholarship will follow the odd year requirements:
 
Eligibility Criteria-AASAP Robbie Lyle Scholarship
 
Odd numbered years: 2009
 
• You must be a past or current TRIO participant
 
• You must be a graduating senior planning to enter college in any field
 
• You must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 scale on your most current transcript.
 
• Eligibility criteria for the AASAP Dr. Vance Simelton Scholarship:
 
• Individual must be a past or current TRIO participant
 
• Individual must be an entering or current full-time college/university student
 
• Individual must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale on most recent transcript (high school or college)
 
• Individual must have an ACT Composite of 20 or better (also acceptable: equivalent SAT score; ASSET scores of 43 Intermediate Algebra, 42 Language Usage, 41 Reading; or COMPASS scores of 66 Intermediate Algebra, 70 Language Usage, 81 Reading)
 

State Farm Associate Youth Advisory Board Scholarship
State Farm® now accepting applications for Associate Youth Advisory Board members.
 
Deadline for applications is March 31, 2009
 
Bloomington, Ill, Jan. 30, 2009 – State Farm Youth Advisory Board is seeking Associate Board Members to serve through 2010.
 
Associate Youth Advisory Board members receive a $3,000 scholarship to be used for post-secondary education at a four-year, two-year or vocational training program.
 
Associate members may become Board members with a second year of service and receive a $5,000 scholarship.
 
“The State Farm Youth Advisory Board is an opportunity to serve on a national board with other highly motivated, autonomous young people,” said a current Youth Advisory Board member. “We are empowered by a dedicated corporation to create real, long-lasting change.” Information and applications are available at:
 
www.statefarmyab.com
 
www.ysa.org
 
www.nylc.org
 
www.service-learningpartnership.org
 
For more information contact Dawn Fones, dawn.fones.cv9s@statefarm.com, 309-766-2259 or Matt Maloney, matthew.maloney.mm2e@statefarm.com, 309-766-7554.

Scholarship Opportunity for SENIORS
2009
 
PHI ALPHA OMEGA GRADUATE CHAPTER
 
DIONNE HAROLD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
 
Scholarship Requirements, Procedures and Guidelines
 
The Dionne Harold Memorial Scholarship is a diversity scholarship that will be awarded to qualified minority and/or economically disadvantaged high school students residing in Benton or Washington counties of Northwest Arkansas. Qualifying minorities for the scholarship are: Black/African-American, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian or Pacific Islander, and Hispanic. Qualifying candidates who have demonstrated a desire to pursue post-secondary education are eligible for an award of $1,000 or more which may be used for the academic year beginning in August 2009.
 
Dionne Harold was a role model for diverse students at the University of Arkansas. She opened doors of opportunity for underrepresented young women on the campus through excelling in academics, dedication to community service, as well as extracurricular activities, including becoming the first African American female Razorback cheerleader at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Her life ended at a young age, but her legacy will live on through the sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
 
Requirements, Procedures and Guidelines:
 
1. Proof of Financial Need:
 
(a) You must enclose a statement of financial need; or
 
(b) You must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the U.S. Dept. of Education, and submit to Phi Alpha Omega the resulting 2009-2010 Student Aid Report (SAR). All pages of your SAR must be submitted for your application to be considered.
 
2. Listing of Community/School Involvement
 
3. 150-200 word essay on one of the following topics:
 
(a) What is the real value of a widely diverse educational community, and what would you as an individual bring to your campus community?
 
(b) Describe an experience you have had where cultural diversity – or a lack thereof – has made a difference to you.
 
4. While this scholarship is intended to relieve some of the financial burden on selected students, there are several non-financial criteria, including an applicant’s cumulative GPA, used by the Scholarship Committee to determine the best candidate.
 
5. The selection of recipients will be made by April 17, 2009. All candidates will be notified of the results within 2 weeks after the selection. It is preferred that we notify you via email. However, if email contact is not feasible, traditional mail will be used. 6. The scholarship recipients will be recognized at Phi Alpha Omega’s annual Celebrity Waiter Extravaganza, to be held in fall 2009.
 
Deadline: Postmarked by April 10, 2009
 
Submitted to:
 
Phi Alpha Omega Chapter
 
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
 
P.O. Box 1192
 
Attn: Scholarship Committee
 
Bentonville, AR 72712
 
Contact Tamla Lewis at tamlalewis@hotmail.com for application and additional information/questions.

Juniors:
Please have a look at this website.
 
http://www.questbridge.org/cps/info.php
 
You may be eligible for scholarships and college preparatory opportunities before you graduate from high school.
 
The application deadline for the College Prep Scholarships is March 31.
 
Ask us if you plan to apply and have any questions.
 

Hispanic Scholarship Fund Deadline Feb. 18
http://www.hsf.net/Scholarships.aspx?id=318

Tylenol Scholarship
Scholarships for students who are pursuing a healthcare-related education:
 
http://tylenol.com/page.jhtml?id=tylenol/news/subptyschol.inc
 
Up to $10,000! Worth checking it out.

Dell Scholarship Deadline Approaching
Seniors - please don't forget to check out the Dell Scholarship at www.dellscholars.org. This scholarship is for students who participate in an "approved college readiness program". Lucky for you - Upward Bound is one of these! The deadline to complete your application is January 15th. Don't let this great opportunity pass you by!

December 6 Saturday session 12:00-4:00 PM
At this Saturday session, we will:
 
Have a Christmas party and potluck from 12 PM until 1:30 PM
 
Walk down to the Walton Arts Center on Dickson street
 
See University Theater’s production of A Christmas Carol at 2 PM
 

 
Students should:
 
Be dropped off at the Walton College of Business
 
Bring a food or drink item for the party
 
Wear clothing appropriate for a winter walk down Dickson Street
 
Arrange to be picked up at the Walton Arts Center at 4:00 PM
 

 
The Walton Arts Center is located at 495 W. Dickson Street, Fayetteville, AR

Important Information for Saturday Session October 11, 2008
Please bring a copy of your 9 weeks' grades this Saturday.

Also, be sure to bring your books, notebooks, pen/pencil, and homework assignments for tutoring.

If you did not hand in or mail in your medical authorization form, you will not be allowed to attend Saturday sessions. Please fill out, have your parent sign, and return the form to us as soon as possible.

Important Information for Saturday Session October 11, 2008
Please bring a copy of your 9 weeks' grades this Saturday.
Also, be sure to bring your books, notebooks, pen/pencil, and homework assignments for tutoring.

If you did not hand in or mail in your medical authorization form, you will not be allowed to attend Saturday sessions. Please fill out, have your parent sign, and return the form to us as soon as possible.

ATTENTION ALL UB, REAL, and ACADEMY SENIORS!!!!!!!!
All Seniors, The 2009 History Makers Essay Contest is open to all seniors who plan on attending college in the fall of 2009. You could possibly win a $750 scholarship. Please go to the following website to find out more about this great essay scholarship. http://www.drqwadespeaks.com/essay_contest.html

Register by October 3, 2008!!!
Voter Registration Information

As a resident of Arkansas and the United States, you have a civic responsibility to participate in the democratic process. The combination of all our voices is what makes this country so unique. Whether you are just coming of age or have recently moved to Arkansas, take the time to register to vote.

The United States presidential election of 2008 is scheduled for Tuesday November 4, 2008.

Who Can Vote

There are some basic requirements you must meet in order to vote in Arkansas. In addition to voting in only one state, you need to meet the minimum criteria:

* Arkansas Resident
* U.S. Citizen
* Mentally Competent
* 18 Years Old

When to Register

Register to vote at least 30 days before the next election or you may not qualify. Once you have registered, you won't need to do it again, unless you move to a new state.
You can register by mail or in person.

How to Register

The voter registration form can be downloaded and completed online.
There is a spanish voter registration form available online.
Take the form to any county clerk at least 30 days prior to the next election, or drop it in the mail:

Secretary of State, Charlie Daniels
Attn: Voter Registration
P.O. Box 8111
Little Rock, AR 72203-8111

Registering by mail is easy and only costs you the price of the stamp. If you miss the 30-day deadline don't worry, go ahead and register because then you'll be ready for the next local, state, or national election. And remember, every vote counts!

Click here for a copy of the Arkansas Voter Registration Application:
http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/elections_pdfs/voter/voter_reg_ap_ar.pdf

ACT Test Registration
Seniors: If you do not have at least a 20 composite on your ACT, you need to register for this test:
 
Registration Deadline: September 19, 2008
 
Next ACT Test Date: October 25, 2008
 
We can give you a fee waiver. Call the office at 575-3553.

UB Lending Library
Some students have shown interest in reading books that are not included in their regular school curricula. As a result, Upward Bound has decided to put together a lending library of books we recommend students should read for their own edification. The library consists of mainly classics in literature, such as Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis and James Baldwin's Notes of a Native Son, but also includes contemporary novels such as Caleb Carr's The Alienist and Rebecca Wells' Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood. We hope students will check out these books and learn or continue to enjoy reading simply for the sake of reading.

From Degree to Paycheck: Which Degrees Offer the Best Return?
By Clare Kaufman
 
For most people, a college degree is second only to a home as the biggest investment they will ever make. It's also among the most reliable investments, paying dividends throughout the graduate's life. To make the most of your college tuition dollar, consider these five high-value degrees.
 
With college tuition climbing, prospective students may be wondering whether that college degree is really worth it. The short answer: yes. Bachelor's degree holders earn an average of 88 percent more than high school graduates, an additional $23,300 per year. Over a lifetime, they net $2.1 million compared to $1.2 for a high school graduate.
 
The gap widens further for degrees in areas such as business, healthcare, and technology. Here's a look at which degrees get the most mileage in the marketplace.
 
1. Master of Business Administration (MBA) There's a reason the MBA is the most popular graduate degree program on campus. Business school graduates experience an average 35 percent increase from their pre-MBA salary. Entry-level MBAs can expect a paycheck 71 percent higher than they would have received with a bachelor's degree. Those bonuses more than offset the cost of tuition.
 
Financially savvy MBA candidates can lessen the impact of tuition costs by continuing to work and taking advantage of low-interest student loans. A U.S. Department of Education study found that three out of four business school students worked more than 35 hours per week while completing their MBA. Online MBA programs play a role in this trend, allowing working adults to work toward the degree after business hours.
 
Bottom Line: Two years in business school will pay dividends for a lifetime--both in terms of higher pay and broader career opportunities.
 
2. Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BS in Engineering) According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, starting salaries for engineers are among the highest for all college graduates. Four years in the college engineering classroom can net graduates an average starting salary of around $50,000. Petroleum engineers lead the pack with a median salary of $60,718 in 2007, with chemical engineers not far behind. Overall, engineers in the various specialties earn median salaries ranging from $65,000 to $100,000.
 
Bottom Line: A bachelor's degree in engineering provides the right balance of applied job skills and general college education to unlock real value in the job market.
 
3. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree Nursing is the success story of the current economy; the BLS calls the job outlook "excellent," citing 23 percent job growth overall, up to 39 percent in physician offices. The booming demand for nurses, which already constitutes the largest sector of the health care job market at 2.9 million, translates into salaries, benefits, student loan forgiveness programs, and even signing bonuses.
 
A four-year BSN is one of three routes to licensure as a registered nurse. Other options include the two- to three-years Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BS in Engineering) or the three-year Registered Nursing diploma. The BSN offers the broadest opportunities of the three.
 
Bottom Line: An aging population promises a strong future-and a stable income-for nurses, even amid economic downturn.
 
4. Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies Paralegals are taking on more tasks previously reserved for attorneys-with a college education that costs a fraction of their J.D.-holding colleagues. A two-year associate degree in Paralegal Studies is the most common route into a paralegal career. Full-fledged attorneys, by contrast, spend six years in college-four years to earn a bachelor's degree and then two years at a professional law school. Nevertheless, paralegals are entrusted with high-level roles such as research analysis and preparing legal documents.
 
An experienced paralegal makes an average salary of $65,368. Considering that the average total cost for an associate degree at an online or campus-based college is $26,400, the degree will pay for itself many times over.
 
Bottom Line:Paralegals enjoy a direct route from community college classroom to courtroom, without missing out on the benefits of a legal paycheck.
 
5. Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology (AAS in IT) The IT department is no longer the province of high-school computer geeks and prodigies without a college degree. Advancing technology and job market competition have made an associate or bachelor's degree a basic qualification for an IT career. Even college dropout Bill Gates has since gone on to finish his Harvard bachelor's degree. Two years in school can afford techies with a wealth of applied skills in network, database, and systems administration; computer programming, Web design, and more. An IT specialist makes an average salary of $62,521; managers average $83,350.
 
Bottom Line: Applied training in Information Technology carries significant value in an information economy, and IT salaries show it.
 
Higher education is worth the investment in nearly any field-but some degrees are worth more than others. Some job skills can be learned "live," in the workplace, but a college degree affords the foundation for on-the-job training-and a foot in the door.
 

REAL Participant Melissa Rojas WINS essay contest
Essay contest winner says education most important opportunity
 
BY LYNN ATKINS Staff Writer lynna@nwanews.com
 
Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2008
 
Melissa Rojas, a sophomore at Rogers High School, heard about an essay contest offering the winner a trip to Washington D. C. She wanted to try her hand at essay writing, but she didn't have time to complete her first attempt before the deadline. That's when her English teacher, Kim Shepard, told her about a similar contest. Rojas entered her essay into the Fleet Reserve Association Americanism Essay Competition. She earned a second place.
 
The essay, titled "Why I Am Proud to be an American," has a theme evident in the first paragraph.
 
"The most important opportunity for young women is the right to an education," she wrote. Rojas expanded her theme to discuss women earning the right to vote.
 
Rojas was born in Los Angeles, but grew up in Rogers. Recently her education was interrupted by a chronic illness, but she's returned to school on a part-time basis.
 
Before she was sick, Rojas was taking part in an Upward Bound program at the University of Arkansas and planned on a career in medicine. Now she's thinking about a different career, one that will include higher education, but maybe not medicine. She's seen enough doctors and nurses for a while.
 
She's not sure what her prize might be for the essay contest, but it doesn't really matter, she said. It's the recognition that's important to her.
 
"I am so impressed with Melissa Rojas'initiative," media specialist Melissa Cook wrote. "She completed all the research and writing on her own, embarking on this journey while most of her peers chose not to participate."
 
"As a young Hispanic woman, living in a republic that respects individualism and strives to do what is right, I am proud that my country continually evolves and changes so that all rights are equal," Rojas wrote.

Upward Bound Bridge Students Earn Nearly ONE MILLION DOLLARS in Merit Scholarships!!
Twenty-one 2008 Pre-College Programs Bridge students have been awarded a total of $961,800.00 in scholarships and grants this year...almost ONE MILLION DOLLARS!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
 
UBMS students earned $593,800.00.
UB students earned $142,500.00.
REAL students earned $225,500.00.

Pre-College Programs and Bridge students Adopt-a-Trail
Staff members from Pre-College Programs and five Bridge students got together on Monday June 2, 2008 in an effort to help keep Fayetteville green and healthy. PCP has officially adopted Frisco Trail, and unofficially Tanglewood Branch, and we cleaned the trail and creek on Monday afternoon. In those four hours, we picked up old tires, lawn chairs, grills, styrofoam bits, plastic of every size, shape and color, cutlery, tubing, glass and plastic bottles, aluminum cans and many other objects that had found their way onto and into our natural landscape. The group of 22 people collected about 25 large bags full of garbage! For more information about Adopt-a-Trail programs, please read below.
 
Adopt-A-Park and Adopt-A-Trails programs are part of the City of Fayetteville Parks and Recreation volunteer program. Every organization that choses to adopt a park or a trail will have its name installed at the adopted facility. For more information regarding this program, please refer to the following website:
 
http://www.accessfayetteville.org/government/parks_and_recreation/trails_and_greenways/index.cfm

CONGRATULATIONS TO JOSÉ GUTIERREZ AND JORGE GARCIA!!!
These two UB participants have been selected by Tyson Foods, Inc. to work as interns in Tyson's Computer Information Systems division.
 
This is a long-term opportunity for José and Jorge, who will start the internship this summer and may be able to continue throughout their senior year and into college.
 
During this time, they will be trained to handle aspects of Tyson's IT division and they will get paid for it!
 
If you are interested in pursuing a career in computer technology, be sure to indicate that on your UB PACP next fall.

GRADUATING SENIORS...LOOK
Just a reminder for all our graduating seniors… the Arkansas Academic Challenge Application must be submitted by June 1st!

DELL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS!!!
CONGRATULATIONS to Maegan Huffman (UB-Lincoln High School), Sierra McCabe (UBMS- Van Buren High School) and Jennifer Garcia (REAL-Springdale High School) for winning THREE of FOUR Dell Scholarships awarded to students in the state of Arkansas.
 
Each one of these students has been awarded $20,000 for college and a Dell laptop computer.
 
The Dell Scholars Program is offered to high school students participating in approved college readiness programs, such as Upward Bound. If you’d like to learn more, visit the website at www.dellscholars.org.
 
Congratulations also to Laterika McBride of Stephens High School in Stephens, AR for winning the fourth Dell Scholarship awarded in Arkansas.

2008 Dickcissel Flight Call Challenge Award
Every spring, colorful little birds called Dickcissels fly northward from their primary wintering ground in Venezuela to their breeding ground in the grasslands of central North America (see map at http://www.oldbird.org/contest08.htm).
 
They mostly migrate at night and it is thought they use the stars and the earth’s magnetic field for direction. During their journey many fly across the western portion of the Gulf of Mexico but many also go around the Gulf and head northward over the plains of northeastern Mexico. We estimate that millions of Dickcissels fly from Mexico across the Rio Grande River into southern Texas each spring in the last week of April and first week of May.
 
During their night flights they often give a buzzy “brrrt” call note to keep in contact with one another. Since 1999, these night flight calls have been monitored with a microphone from the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the south Texas Coast. The spring season calling total has ranged from 1682 in 2000 to 411 in 2002. The variation in numbers appears to be largely due to weather factors involving wind direction. Easterly winds tend to drift the flight inland. Westerly winds tend to concentrate the flight along the coast, leading to higher call totals detected at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.
 
Old Bird is offering a $1000 competitive grant award to the team of high school students who makes the closest estimate to the number of Dickcissel night migration calls that were detected by the acoustic monitoring station at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (LAA on map below) in spring 2005. The acoustic monitoring station at Laguna Atascosa operated every night from April 15 through May 10 in 2005 from 8PM to 5AM.
 
While a lottery-like element of luck is involved in winning, teams can greatly increase their odds by studying how weather has impacted night flight call totals for Dickcissels in previous years. That is what happened in Old Bird's previous competition in 2005! Weather data and Dickcissel flight call totals for the past six years are available for inspection (seasonal weather patterns and Dickcissel night flights). See also the results and essays of the winners of the 2005 competition.
 
Rules
 
Anyone is welcome to participate and submit Dickcissel call totals, but the monetary award is only for a team of two high school students. Home schooled students or non-schooled teenagers (13-19) are also welcome to compete. Individuals may only compete on one team. Teams competing for the $1000 award must have a team name and a teacher or advisor who is sponsoring their participation in the competition. Teachers can sponsor many teams. All entrants must submit (by regular mail or email) their projected Dickcissel night flight call totals to Old Bird no later than May 10, 2008. The winning team will be announced May 15 2008.
 
Participating teams should submit the following information:
 
Team name:
 
Names of team members:
 
School name & address::
 
Sponsoring teacher/advisor name:
 
Sponsoring teacher/advisor contact info (email or phone):
 
Estimated Dickcissel flight call total:
 
Submit the information to admin@oldbird.org or by snail mail to:
 
Old Bird, Inc.
 
605 W. State St.
 
Ithaca, NY 14850 USA
 
note: entrants of high school age who are home schooled or are not in school, please indicate that for your school name. You sponsor could be a parent, guardian, or mentor.
 

 
Award
 
A grant of $1000 US will be awarded to the winning team. Flight call estimates of each competing team will be posted on the Old Bird website on May 15, 2008. In case two or more teams tie for the closest estimate, the award would be determined by having the teams of finalists each compose a one page essay describing their formula for coming up with their winning number. The most credible & creative essay would determine the winner of the 2008 Dickcissel Challenge Award.

DO NOT Pay for Scholarship Searches or Services
Some of you have been receiving information from various companies about scholarship and financial aid searches for college. These are search services that cost $$$$!

Please DON'T pay for them!

As participants in Academy, Upward Bound, and REAL, you already have access to the same information you'd be paying for with this program.

If you're interested in checking out scholarships and signing up for search engines, check out these FREE websites:

For National Scholarships: http://www.fastweb.com/

For Arkansas Scholarships: http://www.fundmyfuture.info/

If you or your parents have any questions about any of these programs that require a fee, please feel free to call Rickey, Jason, Francesca or Nikki at 479.575.3553.

FIVE Seniors Semi-Finalists for the Dell Scholarship!
Congratulations to Maegan Huffman, Sue Lee, Jazmin Rivas,Shelby Phipps and Sierra McCabe who have been chosen as semi-finalists for the prestigious Dell Scholars Program. The Dell Scholars Program is offered to high school students participating in approved college readiness programs, such as Upward Bound. If you’d like to learn more, visit the website at www.dellscholars.org.

Harvard will pay Low-Income Students
Harvard University announced over the weekend that from now on undergraduate students from low-income families will pay no tuition. In making the announcement, Harvard's president Lawrence H. Summers said, 'When only 10 percent of the students in Elite higher education come from families in lower half of the income distribution, we are not doing enough. We are not doing enough in bringing elite higher education to the lower half of the income distribution.'
 
If you know of a family earning less than $60,000 a year with an honor student graduating from high school soon, Harvard University wants to pay the tuition. The prestigious university recently announced that from now on undergraduate students from low-income families can go to Harvard for free...no tuition and no student loans!
 
To find out more about Harvard offering free tuition for families making less than $60,000 a year visit Harvard's financial aid website at: http://www.fao.fas.harvard.edu or call the school's financial aid office at (617) 495-1581.

Upward Bound and REAL Upward Bound Students GIVE BACK!
REAL and Upward Bound participants come to the University of Arkansas campus roughly twice a month to take part in what we call Saturday sessions, during which they receive supplemental instruction and other opportunities.

This Fall, we began offering a service learning component so that our participants can earn service learning credits to meet their high school graduation requirements and to do something for the community.

So far, participants have worked on a scrapbook project for the non-profit organization Lifestyles, Inc. (http://www.lifestylesinc.org), have spread mulch at the conclusion of a landscaping project at Leverett Elementary School in Fayetteville(http://schoolcenter.fayar.net/education/school/school.php?sectionid=14), and have learned about the non-profit organization Arkansas Support Network (http://www.supports.org/about.asp) and volunteerism in general from the CEO of ASN, Keith Vire.
 
Thanks to these organizations and leaders for giving us the opportunity to learn!

Virtual College Tour
There is a Virtual College Fair that over 10,000 students registered for and that features more than 100 colleges. Although the official college fair is over, you can still go to the website and learn a lot about the 100 featured colleges. You have to register with your e-mail address and then you get access to all of the information. Check it out --- it’s really cool! http://www.collegeweeklive.com/

UA Launches "Access Arkansas" Initiative for Need-Based Scholarship Support
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Students who qualify to attend the University of Arkansas but who may need additional financial support to attend the institution will soon have a new opportunity to make pursuing a college degree a reality. The University of Arkansas has launched Access Arkansas, a program committed to raising money for need-based scholarship support. The program was approved in the fall of 2006 by the university's Board of Advisors, an organization that helps guide the institution's advancement and fundraising efforts. Access Arkansas, which has already raised $500,000 in gift commitments, focuses on undergraduate students. The overall goal for the program is $15 million over five years. "There is an immediate need for an initiative like Access Arkansas," said Chancellor John A. White. "Many students work part-time and even full-time jobs while they are in school and still graduate with an inordinate amount of debt. In fact, many students never graduate because they do not have the financial support to remain in school. Access Arkansas will help individuals who face these challenges. Our state is near the bottom nationally in the percent of people 25 and older who have earned a bachelor's degree, and the affordability of college is certainly a factor in this statistic." Over the years, it has become increasingly difficult for lower- and middle-income Arkansans to pay for a college education, both at the University of Arkansas and other institutions across the state. Many face a significant funding gap, which is the difference between the cost to attend the university and the money a student can secure from all sources, including family, scholarships, grants and loans. Data reveal that the annual average funding gap at the University of Arkansas for nearly 4,000 students who completed federal financial aid forms has risen steadily from $7,502 in 2005 to $8,646 in 2007. In fact, the average debt load carried by students by the time they graduate from the university has reached approximately $20,000. A degree is undoubtedly needed in today's labor market. The rising cost of earning a bachelor's degree - particularly in a state with the economic demographic of Arkansas - is a real barrier for many students, and workers with at least a bachelor's degree gain access to the nation's higher paying jobs, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. Recent Census Bureau data show the average salary for a person with a bachelor's degree is $23,000 more than the average salary of a non-degreed individual. The economic competitiveness of Arkansas is undercut because too many citizens cannot break the cost barrier. Through Access Arkansas endowments, each benefactor will play a major role in the effort to bring private, long-term support to this campus for need-based scholarships. "The importance of need-based financial support extends well beyond our university," said Dave Gearhart, vice chancellor for University Advancement. "Governor Beebe recently announced the GO! Opportunities Grant Program in Arkansas, which will award money to students with need. This statewide commitment truly demonstrates the breadth of this issue. Through the Access Arkansas program, we will work to extend access to all capable students. We are grateful to those who have contributed so far, and we hope to see many alumni and friends of the university supporting this critical initiative."

More Scholarsip Opportunities
Student residents of Arkansas can find scholarship opportunities at the following website. Check it out! http://www.arkansasscholarshipconnection.org/

Congratulations to Jennifer Garcia!
Congratulations to Jennifer Garcia for being awarded the AASAP Presidential Scholarship for TRiO participants in Arkansas.

Attendance at Saturday sessions is mandatory
THE RULES Excused absences: - required school/academic function with proof - illness or family emergency with proof - required band function with proof - must inform UB staff BEFORE absence - must SPEAK to staff member; leaving a message does not count Our office hours are 8-5 Mon-Fri. Phone number is 479.575.3553 Unexcused absences: - you only get one - second unexcused absence = participation notice - participation notice = no stipend Any absence decreases your stipend amount because the stipend is based on your participation. So if you have one excused or unexcused absence in a month, you only get half the stipend. On Oct. 6, you will fill out important paperwork, choose your enrichment classes, and do an activity. On Oct. 20, you will meet your instructors and begin your classes for the year. If you miss this session, you will have to catch up right from the start. We want to see you! Come to the Saturday sessions!

Tribute to the Hoovers
To view the tribute to the Hoovers copy and paste the links below. We all loved and cared for them so much. They will me missed. Link 1- http://nwahomepage.com/content/news/archive Link 2- http://www.4029tv.com/video/index.html

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