麻豆视频 has received two grants from the U.S. Department of Education that will extend programs dedicated to supporting the success of hundreds of first-generation and poverty-impacted students in the Yakima Valley.
The grants, which total more than $900,000 for the 2025-26 academic year, enable YVC to continue its TRIO Upward Bound and Student Support Services programs.
YVC annually serves approximately 110 students from Granger, Sunnyside, Toppenish and Wapato schools districts through its Upward Bound program. Students entering grades 9 through 12 are eligible if they are from low-income households or would be the first in their immediate family to attend college.
鈥淩eceiving the Upward Bound grant means that the work of helping students achieve their dreams of a better future will continue,鈥� said Upward Bound Director Isaias Guerrero, who noted that as of the 2024-25 academic year YVC鈥檚 program was the third largest in Washington state. YVC was awarded $570,120 to support its Upward Bound program in 2025-26.
Upward Bound assists students in their pursuit of a high school diploma and prepares them to enter and complete a post-secondary education program. Eligible students receive year-round support including tutoring, academic advising, after-school workshops, SAT/ACT test preparation, career exploration opportunities, college tours and financial stipends.
In addition, a six-week Summer Residential Program allows students to gain real-life experience with the academic and social aspects of living and studying on a college campus. Students receive instruction in YVC classrooms and enroll in language arts, math, foreign language, lab science and elective classes that can allow them to earn both high school and college credit.
Guerrero noted that 69% of YVC participants in Upward Bound enroll in post-secondary education after high school, compared to 50% of all students in the four districts served by the program. Moreover, 63% of participants in YVC鈥檚 program complete a college degree within six years, versus 34% of all students in the program鈥檚 service area.
鈥淪tudents from first-generation or low-income backgrounds are often at a disadvantage when it comes to applying and choosing schools to attend after high school,鈥� Guerrero said. 鈥淧rograms like Upward Bound equip students to aspire for academic excellence and be competitive applicants when it comes to applying for post-secondary.鈥�
Meanwhile, TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) helps overcome class, social and cultural barriers to education faced by YVC students. The program primarily serves first-generation, low-income and students with disabilities 鈥� populations often underrepresented in higher education.
YVC was awarded $366,447 to provide support services to 200 SSS-eligible students on its Yakima and Grandview campuses during the 2025-26 academic year. The grant is renewable for five years.
鈥淭RIO Student Support Services helps level the playing field for students who face additional barriers in higher education,鈥� said Marivy Vasquez, TRIO SSS director. 鈥淭hrough academic advising, mentoring and financial literacy support, we help students stay on track to graduate. At YVC, TRIO students consistently achieve higher retention and graduation rates than non-participants, demonstrating the program鈥檚 measurable impact.鈥�
Participants in TRIO SSS at the college have a 90% retention rate, Vasquez noted, compared to a 75% rate for non-participants.
Through TRIO SSS, students can access academic support services such as tutoring, assistance with education plans, personal and career counseling, visits to universities and other supports. Students participating in the program are much more likely to maintain higher GPAs, be more involved on campus, and graduate and transfer at higher rates.
鈥淭his investment underscores YVC鈥檚 commitment to equity and student success across the Yakima Valley, ensuring more students from our region are prepared to transfer and thrive at four-year universities,鈥� Vasquez said.
Applications are currently being accepted for both programs. Students interested in learning more about TRIO SSS can visit YVC鈥檚 TRIO SSS webpage or contact the TRIO SSS director at 509-574-4701 or mvazquez@yvcc.edu. Students interested in learning more about Upward Bound can visit YVC鈥檚 Upward Bound webpage or call 509-834-4575 or email yvcupwardbound@yvcc.edu.