FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation’s Dell Scholars Program awarded 254 new Dell Scholars this month with $5 million in scholarship funds. Three local participants in the University of Arkansas Upward Bound programs will receive part of that money. They are Jennifer Garcia of Rogers High School; Maegan Huffman of Lincoln High School; and Sierra McCabe of Van Buren High School.

“We are so proud of Jennifer, Maegan and Sierra for this exciting recognition from a prestigious, national scholarship program,” said Keith Brink, senior director for residential programs. “These three students are remarkable young women who have not only the commitment to participate in the Upward Bound programs, but whose drive and determination will lead them to great success in college and beyond.”

Sierra McCabe will be attending the University of Arkansas this fall. Maegan Huffman will be attending Northeastern Oklahoma State University in Talequah, Okla., while Jennifer Garcia will attend Scripps College in Claremont, Calif.

Dell Scholars will receive $20,000 each to continue their higher education for the next six years. In addition, the Dell Scholars program provides its students with technology, resources and mentoring to ensure they have the support they need to obtain a college degree. The additional resources have contributed to the program’s retention rate of 89 percent, well above the national average of 22 percent for students who are the first in their families to attend college.

Most of the Dell Scholars are first-generation college students, and are chosen because they participate in an approved college readiness program, such as Upward Bound, and maintain at least a 2.4 grade point average on a 4.0 scale while dealing with personal responsibilities at home or in their communities. For a complete listing of the 2008 Dell Scholars or to find out more information about the program, go to http://www.dellscholars.org.