Owens receives $1.25M federal grant

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Owens Community College a $1.25 million grant to help students pursue education.

The Upward Bound funds will partner Owens with two Toledo Public Schools' high schools -- Woodward and Rogers -- and charter school Toledo Preparatory Academy. The five-year initiative, which starts in September, is to cover 60 students, providing them services and activities throughout high school and college.

They will go on college visits and field trips, explore careers and attend weekly tutoring, advising, and test-preparation sessions. Other services include workshops on navigating colleges, including financial aid and the admissions process. Students also will attend career and college preparation classes.

Owens will hold a Summer Bridge Program that helps Upward Bound students make the transition from high school to college.

The program is similar to one Owens now offers to high school graduates within the college's district. The Upward Bound grant is intended to increase student college completion rates.

Owens is not the only local institution participating in the Upward Bound program. For instance, Lourdes University received a $250,000 grant last summer, pairing it with students from TPS' Waite and Woodward high schools.