TRIO Upward Bound

A College Prep Program for Eligible High School Students

Upward Bound (UB) is a federally funded TRIO program designed to help prepare eligible high school students to enter into and succeed in a program of postsecondary education immediately after high school, preferably at a four-year college or university. Funded by the United States Department of Education, this educational opportunity program has existed at Bloomsburg University since 1978 and serves eligible students in grades 9-12 at eight local high schools: Berwick, Mahanoy, Milton, Mount Carmel, North Schuylkill, Pottsville, Shamokin, and Shikellamy.

Students can apply to join the program as early as the spring of their 8th grade year or anytime during their 9th or 10th grade year. Once accepted, they continue in the program until they graduate, provided that they adhere to the program’s attendance and academic requirements.

During the academic year, weekly meetings (Center Meetings) are held at each of the program’s target high schools while occasional events, including Fall Forum (for students and their families), FAFSA Completion, and College Transition/Senior Sendoff events are held on the Bloomsburg University campus. Additionally, the program visits the National College Fair (Philadelphia) and other area college fairs, along with campus tours of area colleges.

During the summer, a six-week long Summer Academy provides students with a FREE opportunity to live on a college campus and sample college life while experiencing enriching and helpful preparatory and remedial course work, field trips, and cultural/educational/social activities. A limited number of students are accepted for each summer's Summer Academy. Attendance is strongly recommended for students who will be seniors in the fall. All meals, housing, supplies, and field trip expenses (meals, tickets, etc.) are provided by the program, and students receive a small participation stipend (currently $15/week).

UB's summer Bridge Programs offers a limited number (approximately 3-4) of Upward Bound seniors a chance to earn 3-6 credits of college coursework at Bloomsburg University for FREE during the summer after they graduate from high school. Workshops, tutoring sessions, and advising sessions further prepare our Bounders to succeed once they start college, regardless of where they plan to go.

These services and the others listed below are provided FREE of charge to eligible students. Students who participate in Upward Bound are under no obligation to attend Bloomsburg University.

Upward Bound Offers...

• Weekly after school meetings and tutoring (early October to mid-May)
• Career and academic assessments and advising
• Visits to and tours of area college campuses
• Visits to the National College Fair in Philadelphia
• Professional mentoring and academic coaching
• Career exploration opportunities
• Tutoring and study skills help
• Financial aid application help and scholarship searches
• College application help
• College application fee waivers (UNLIMITED for active students!)
• SAT and ACT registration assistance and preparation
• SAT and ACT fee waivers (2 of each for active student!)
• Eligibility for TRIO only scholarships
• Family workshops on college planning and financial aid
• Field trips to museums, college fairs, historical sites, and educational destinations
• Cultural, social, and recreational opportunities
• Preparation/remediation for Keystone Exams
• Preparation for upcoming classes during the summer
• A summer bridge program offering FREE college credits (for a few graduates)
• Lasting friendships with students from other schools
• Referrals to TRIO Student Support Services programs for graduating seniors (where available)
• Advising on dual enrollment (early college) opportunities – Beginning fall 2017
• Bimonthly student stipends based on attendance/participation – Beginning fall 2017

Who's Eligible?

Eligibility criteria for the TRIO Upward Bound program are established by the U.S. Department of Education. Students might be eligible for the program if:

• They attend one of the program's eight target high schools: Berwick, Mahanoy, Milton, Mount Carmel, North Schuylkill, Pottsville, Shamokin, and Shikellamy
• They live in a household where the parent(s)/guardian(s) does not have a bachelor's (four year) degree and/or their household income falls within the program's federal guidelines.
• They are interested in attending college immediately after high school to pursue a bachelor's (four year) degree.
• They have an academic need.
• They are willing and able to attend after school, on campus, and summer activities.