About Upward Bound
At the University of Utah, our Upward Bound program serves 95 students from East, West, Highland, and Kearns High Schools. The University of Utah first received the TRIO Upward Bound Grant in 1972, which makes us one of the longest running Upward Bound programs in the country!
Program Description
The following information is provided by the U.S. Department of Education
Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves: high school students from low-income families; and high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.
Types of Projects
Upward Bound projects provide academic instruction in mathematics, laboratory sciences, composition, literature, and foreign languages. Tutoring, counseling, mentoring, cultural enrichment, work-study programs, education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of students; and programs and activities previously mentioned that are specially designed for students who are limited English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, students with disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths, students who are in foster care or are aging out of foster care system or other disconnected students.
Additional Information
All Upward Bound projects MUST provide instruction in math, laboratory science, composition, literature, and foreign language. Other services include:
- Information on the full range of Federal Student Financial Aid programs and benefits
- Guidance and assistance on secondary school reentry, alternative education programs, or entry into general educational development programs or postsecondary education
Eligibility
Students must meet the following criteria:
- qualify for low-income status
- completed the 8th grade
- are between the ages of 13 and 19
- have a need for academic support in order to pursue a program of postsecondary education.
All students must be either from low-income families or be potential *first-generation college students. The program requires that two-thirds of the participants in a project must be both low-income and potential *first-generation students. The remaining one-third must be either low-income, *first-generation college students, or students who have a high risk for academic failure.
*A first-generation college student is a student whose parent(s) or guardian(s) with whom they resided did not complete four-year degree in the U.S.
Program preference:
- currently attending East, West, Highland, or Kearns High School
Participation Policy
In order to remain an active participant in the Upward Bound program, you must:
1.
Participate in the Project
Students in Upward Bound are required to attend at least four tutoring sessions or other Upward Bound activity/event per semester to keep their spot in the program. Students who fail to participate in the program could be replaced with a student from the waitlist.
2.
Achieve Academically
If a student earns below a 2.5 GPA for two consecutive quarters, or is at risk of not graduating, the student will be required to attend a meeting with their parent/guardian, high school counselor, and an Upward Bound advisor to make a plan for future academic success in order to continue to participate in Upward Bound.
3.
Observe Summer Academy Rules
For students who choose to participate in our Summer Academy you are expected to follow specific rules related to living and taking classes on the University of Utah’s campus. All rules and expectations will be reviewed during our summer academy orientation. Students who are found in violation of the rules may be dismissed from the program. Selection for the Summer Academy is contingent upon each students’ participation in tutoring & workshops/activities throughout the school year. Not all students participating in Upward Bound may join the Summer Academy.