Upward Bound

Program Description:
The Upward Bound Program attempts to generate skills and motivation necessary for success in education beyond high school. Participants are students currently enrolled in high school who meet the low income and/or potential first generation college student requirement and who are willing to prepare themselves for entry into post-secondary education.

Participant Eligibility:
Students must have completed the eighth grade and be between the ages of 13 and 19 (except for veterans), enrolled in high school, planning to go to college, and need the services in order to fulfill their goals. Two-thirds of the participants must be low-income and potential first generation college students. The remaining participants must be low income or first generation. Participants are selected based on recommendations from their counselors, teachers, and social service agencies.

Sponsoring Institutions:
Upward Bound Programs may be sponsored by institutions of higher education, public and private nonprofit agencies, and in exceptional cases, secondary schools.

Application/Funding Process:
Competitions for regular Upward Bound funding are held every four years. Second, third, and fourth year funding is based on approval of a non-competing continuation application. The grant competitions are held every five years.

Services Provided by Upward Bound
• Instruction in math through pre-calculus, laboratory science, foreign language, composition, literature, and other subjects necessary for success in education  beyond high school
• Academic, financial, or personal counseling
• Exposure to cultural events
• Tutorial services
• Information on post-secondary education opportunities
• Information on student financial assistance
• Assistance in completing college admissions testing  and applications and financial aid applications
• Exposure to the range of career options where the  disadvantaged person might be under-represented
• Mentoring programs
• Work study positions to expose participants to careers requiring a post-secondary degree