Upward Bound
Upward Bound is a federally funded program created in 1964 to identify and assist promising high school students who face barriers to completing high school and enrolling in a post-secondary institution. Over the past 40 years Upward Bound programs across the nation have helped hundreds of thousands of young people. There are 26 Upward Bound programs in Wisconsin providing support services to high potential students who would be unlikely to pursue higher education without extra support. Upward Bound provides that support at no cost to the families or the school district.
There are some similarities in that each program must provide these services:
What does Upward Bound Provide?
- Tutorials and Study Skills Training
- Career Interest and Exploration
- Academic and Personal Counseling
- Leadership Training and Goal Setting
- Cultural Enrichment
- College Exploration, Application and Financial Aid Assistance
- Six-week Summer Residency Program (optional for some programs)
During the academic year, Upward Bound students receive tutoring, counseling, and study skills training to help them improve their grades and self-confidence. Students also visit college campuses and businesses, attend plays, concerts, lectures, and build relationships through social, recreational, and cultural activities.
During the summer, Upward Bound students participate in a six-week residency program on the campus (optional for some programs). Students live in a residence hall, take challenging academic classes, and participate in a variety of field trips as well as cultural, social, athletic and career related activities. The summer program offers opportunities for gaining confidence and independence through hard work and academic achievement in a simulated college setting.
Academic year and summer programming increases the chances students will succeed in high school and be accepted at a college, university, or vocational/technical program. Upward Bound assists students in the selection of an appropriate college or training program, with scholarship searches, and with the completion of all admission and financial aid applications.
Who Qualifies
Students must meet certain qualifications set by federal regulations to be accepted into the program including:
- Ninth through eleventh grade students.
- Students whose families meet income guidelines (determined by the U.S. Dept of Education) and/or from a family in which neither parent has graduated from a four-year institution.
- Students who have been identified as having potential for success in post-secondary education-college, university, professional or technical school.
