Jul 06, 2012 08:54 AM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

The U.S. Department of Education has granted $1.5 million for five years to The National Hispanic University (NHU) to run the upward bound program that will help students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The upward bound program is one of the eight administered TRIO programs funded by the Education Department to help students from first-generation college or students from lower-income backgrounds.

It is a pre-college program that assists students to prepare themselves before gaining admission to any institution. Through the program, the university will give counseling to students and tutor them by creating a simulation of the college life to make them competent and increase their chances of joining good institutions.

The university will provide academic instructions on various subjects including mathematics, science, composition, literature and foreign languages free of cost. Apart from this, they also provide a residential college program in the summer and will also involve students in other recreational and cultural activities.

The university has set some criteria to join the program. Accordingly, more than 70 high school first generation students or students from low financial backgrounds, with an American citizenship or an eligible resident, will be selected for the program. 

"We are extremely pleased that our program is once again being funded and that we can continue serving the students and families of our community," said Candelario Franco, director of pre-college TRIO programs at The National Hispanic University in a news release.

"The new grant will allow us to provide tutoring, counseling and instruction to more than 70 students in order to help them navigate through high school and, ultimately, succeed in their higher education pursuits," he added.

The upward bound program was established by the NHU in 1989. Besides the program, NHU runs two more programs - Esperanza Educational Talent Search and Latino College Preparatory Academy - under the TRIO Programs.

NHU, which is currently located in East San Jose, California, was established in 1981 to serve the needs of Hispanics, minorities, women and other learners. The university offers several associate and bachelor's degree programs to students.

See Now: Covert Team Inside Newsweek Revealed as Key Players in False Human Trafficking Lawsuit