Upward Bound, a federally funded college preparatory program for low income students, may be cancelled if the 2006 federal budget passes in its current form.
The program is non-partisan and exists at approximately 800 public universities across the country, including the University.
"The program helps low-income, first-generation and disabled high school students to go on to higher education," said Maurice Walker, Upward Bound program coordinator at the University.
The University's chapter works with 12 high schools in Central Virginia, enrolling 75 students during the academic year and 60 students during the summer.
According to Leah Puryear, Upward Bound program director at the University, the proposed federal budget does not set aside any funding for the program. Upward Bound is federally funded but must apply for a competitive grant every year.
Puryear said funding for Upward Bound might have been cut back because congressmen and representatives determined that other programs had higher funding priorities.
"Whether it would be other areas of defense or areas of homeland security, I couldn't say," Puryear said.
She said the opposition for the program likely stemmed from "persons who felt that those things were more important than education, healthcare, and preschool education."
Walker said both Democrats and Republicans support the program on the national level.
"Congressman [Virgil] Goode (R-Va.) is extremely supportive of Upward Bound, as is Senator [John] Warner (R-Va.)," Puryear said.
Goode Education Legislative Assistant Kelly Simpson said Goode was in contact with the chairman of the subcommittee that deals with education appropriations. Simpson said Goode had received a lot of input from constituents in support of the program.
"The president's budget reflects that in this tight fiscal year, some programs receive less money than in the past," Simpson said.
Puryear said she is encouraging people to write to their representatives in Congress in support of the program.
"The parents and students of our program are faxing, writing letters and e-mails," Puryear said. "[University] President Casteen has written a letter to Congressman Goode and Senators Allen and Warner."
Simpson said programs such as Upward Bound often are excluded from the original budget proposal but get added in later revisions.
"It is possible that the funding can be restored. It is all up to the subcommittee," he said.
The program has existed nationally since 1965 and at the University since 1968, according to Puryear.
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