The youngest of 11 children, Mosley was raised by his mother on her custodian's salary. His mother wanted the best for him, but unlike this country's affluent households, college was more of a dream than an expectation in Mosley's home. That means few of the nation's poor get the education they need to elevate themselves from poverty. To some extent these programs equalize their chances to go to college. The federal, pre-college program is designed to help economically disadvantaged students complete high school and enter and succeed in college.
Students start the program in ninth grade.
They meet on college campuses for academic instruction, counseling and mentoring throughout the school year and participate in an extensive summer program. Upward Bound Summer Programs begin at area colleges this month. To be eligible, students must be recommended by a high school counselor, live 150 percent below the poverty level and have parents who are not college-educated. Locally, programs are offered at Savannah State University , Brewton-Parker College and Georgia Southern University . U.S. Department of Education studies show many students drop out to take jobs.