TOMAHAWK - Being accepted to college is an exciting moment for many high school students and their parents.

For those who are the first in their family to go, getting that acceptance letter has extra meaning.

Upward Bound is a program that helps low-income or first-generation students get into school - and it's now being shut down.

This year, the federal grants that fund Upward Bound were slashed across the country, including right here in the Northwoods.

Upward Bound out of UW-Stevens Point serves 100 students per year at ten area high schools, including Tomahawk, Northland Pines, and Lakeland.

Melanie Consolver has been in the program for three years. She's going to appeal to politicians to get the grant back.

"I would tell them that they're making a huge mistake," she said. "There are a lot of kids that really do need help, and they need help supporting their families, and I think Upward Bound would be the best way out, out of all the trouble that they have."

Melanie joined Upward Bound to make college a priority. She says it's kept her motivated and ahead of the curve academically.

Now, her mother worries that could change.

"Rural America has a lot of cracks to slip into," Roxanne Consolver said. "I worry that if they're not being pushed and encouraged and kept on track, that it's very easy to get into the 'I have to go to work' or 'I have to do these other things' that are not as important as college."

The Stevens Point location is one of thirteen defunded across the state this year.

Program director Henry Wojnicki says he doesn't know why they didn't get the grant, but he believes rural programs across the country were unfairly targeted.

The grant provided $414,000 dollars per year over the next five years.

Wojnicki is encouraging students and parents to contact their local representatives and get the grant decision reversed