For students with low-income backgrounds, pursuing a college education is not the natural progression after high school graduation. Yet, a college degree can make the difference between flourishing from overall well-being and economic stability, or gritting through a lifetime of lower earnings, housing insecurity, and potentially poor health outcomes.

Research consistently shows that the median lifetime earnings for employees with a bachelor’s degree are nearly double those achieving a high school diploma at best. Across the nation, more than a quarter of students from low-income backgrounds who enroll in higher education drop out by the end of the second year. Black and Hispanic students achieve a bachelor’s degree at rates roughly half that of their white and peers from higher-income backgrounds. Bruce Wells Scholars Upward Bound and Dynamy John S. Laws Youth Academy at Seven Hills address these gaps by providing college access services annually for up to 150 first-generation, college-bound Worcester high school students from low-income backgrounds. Both programs provide year-round supports including academic advising, tutoring, leadership and community service opportunities, internships, college tours, and assistance with the financial aid application process.

Bruce Wells Scholars Upward Bound is one of 3,500 federally funded TRiO programs nationwide. For most of the program’s 25-year history, Clark University has served as its institutional partner and host site. The Dynamy John S. Laws Youth Academy is fully grant-funded, operating from the Ellsworth Youth and Family Center on Cedar Street in Worcester. Dozens of community organizations collaborate with staff to provide additional opportunities and supports for participating students in both programs.

In their combined 60 years of operation, Upward Bound and Youth Academy boast a nearly universal 100% college acceptance rate of their students. Most students receive multiple scholarships and grants, and graduates have attended some of the most prestigious colleges and universities across New England and the country.

Program Spotlight Profile

Aurelien Ngamo’s story is just one of hundreds that demonstrate the power of college access services. The son of Congolese refugees, Aurelien is a 2023 Youth Academy and Worcester Technical High School graduate. During his time at Youth Academy, Aurelien took full advantage of tutoring support, mentoring, networking, and more, all while working part time and completing an internship at the YWCA.

Aurelien’s commitment and intellect were fully rewarded when he was chosen as one of just 750 high school students across the country to receive the coveted Gates Scholarship. He is currently a sophomore at Boston University, studying Mechanical Engineering.

College access programs at Seven Hills ensure that talented, hardworking students with low-income backgrounds graduate from high school and college on time, enter the workforce prepared to succeed, and flourish in their communities.

To Learn More Contact:

Upward Bound & Youth Academy
Gaelyn Hastings, Director, College Access Programs,
617.866.1293, ghastings@sevenhills.org