Seal of the United States Department of Education.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

By AMY BETH HANSON
Associated Press

HELENA, Mont. (AP) – Dozens of universities and organizations that applied for federal grants to help young people from poor families prepare for college were turned down by the U.S. Education Department because of mistakes that consisted mostly of incorrect margins, the wrong size type or lack of double-spacing.

The rejections have triggered an outcry from members of both parties on Capitol Hill and thrown into jeopardy programs that help thousands of high school students a year.

Members of Congress have asked Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to reconsider the applications for the Upward Bound program. But congressional aides tell The Associated Press that the department isn’t going to do it.