The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Neighborhood Longhorns Program
Mission
The Neighborhood Longhorns Program is the premier educational outreach program for the University of Texas at Austin offering 2nd through 8th graders in Title I schools the opportunity to envision attending college through incentives and scholarships. This is achieved through the involvement of UT students, volunteers and staff that provide tutoring and mentoring in participating Central Texas schools.
Overview
The Neighborhood Longhorns Program (NLP) was created by The University of Texas at Austin to increase student retention rates, improve overall grade performance and provide unique campus experiences for students in Central Texas Title I elementary and middle schools. The program has a unique partnership with the Austin Independent School District (AISD) that is the foundation for the program’s and participants’ success.
Started in 1991 as a way to introduce children to the college environment, NLP inspires students to do their best in school and offers them the opportunity to experience the university firsthand. Each year, NLP serves elementary and middle school students in participating schools and encourages them to put their lives on an educational track by providing tutoring, incentives, scholarships and campus visits.
Since its inception, NLP has served over 111,000 students and awarded over $848,000 in scholarships to program participants. The overarching goal of NLP is to support students in their attainment of a high school degree and ultimately matriculation to college.
Neighborhood Longhorns provides the following services to our participating schools for registered NLP Students:
- Educational Incentives - Neighborhood Longhorns provides educational incentives to all registered NLP participants for their academic success. Students must maintain a minimum overall average, maintain excellent attendance and increase their overall reading level.
- UT Campus Visits - NLP participants are able to visit the University of Texas campus for events like College for a Day, Performing Arts events and other events hosted by student organizations.
- Tutoring - UT Students and Student Organizations provide tutorial services at participating sites throughout the school year. Tutoring services are facilitated by on-site personnel.
- Special Events - Throughout the school year, NLP Students are able to participate in various events on campus. In addition, UT Students and Student-Athletes provide school visits and host assemblies for our NLP participating schools.
- Texas Athletics events - NLP students are able to earn access to athletics events throughout the year. NLP Students receive access through their participation in the program and success in the classroom. NLP Students also receive access to selected Texas Athletic programs and summer camps.
- Scholarship Program - NLP Students who meet the scholarship criteria can earn an award for their academic success throughout the school year. Scholarship recipients are recognized at an annual Scholarship Banquet. Students are eligible each year they participate in the Neighborhood Longhorns Program. Funds received through the Scholarship Program are held at The University until the student graduates from high school and enrolls in a college/university or trade school.
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