The TRIO Upward Bound Program

A Free College Prep Program for Eligible High School Students

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ALL UPWARD BOUND SERVICES AND EVENTS ARE BEING PROVIDED VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Students and family members should pay attention to email and social media announcements regarding planned on-campus events and the upcoming Summer Academy and Bridge Program..

Upward Bound (UB) is a federally funded TRIO college access program designed to help eligible high school students to successfully complete high school and succeed in college, earning a two- or four-year degree (associates or bachelor's). Funded entirely by a grant from the United States Department of Education, the program has been continuously funded 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) located in Columbia, Northumberland, and Schuylkill counties in northeastern/central Pennsylvania.

Students can apply to join the program during their 9th or 10th grade year or as late as the first marking period of 11th grade. Acceptance into the program is not guaranteed since the number of students selected from each school may be limited to ensure an equal number of students at each school. After students apply to join the program, the staff will request and review their academic records, invite them to a required virtual or in-person intake interview, and notify them of their status (accepted, not accepted, or wait listed). Once they are admitted, Bounders remain in the program through graduation if they continue to meet the program's requirements.

During the academic year, weekly after school meetings are held at each school and feature college prep, career exploration, SAT prep, course selection help, scholarship and financial aid information, college application help, academic check ins, peer tutoring, academic advising, and activities designed to enhance students' study skills, leadership, and teamwork abilities. These activities vary from week to week are led by program staff or the school's UB coordinator, a teacher or school counselor who serves as the program's point of contact at each school. Additionally, occasional seasonal events are held on campus at Bloomsburg University for students from all eight schools, including Fall Kickoff (orientation), Senior Saturday (a FAFSA and college application completion event), TRIO Day (an annual community service opportunity), Summer Information Day (for students planning to attend the on-campus Summer Academy), and Senior Sendoff (final graduation ceremony). Occasional visits to area colleges and universities for campus tours are also provided each semester. Parents and guardians are required or encouraged to attend several of the on-campus events each year, including the program's annual bus trip to the National College Fair in Philadelphia.

During the summer, a six-week long on campus Summer Academy provides students with an introduction to life on a college campus. Enriching courses in science, math, literature, composition, foreign languages, and elective areas offer students a head start for the upcoming school year as students live in a residence hall, take classes in a college classroom, and eat in the campus dining commons. Daily social and recreational activities are offered, along with weekly campus visits and educational trips to nearby destinations. Attendance is strongly recommended during the summer between students' junior and senior years. All meals, housing, supplies, and field trip expenses (meals, tickets, etc.) are provided, and students receive a small participation stipend (currently $20/week).

UB's Summer Bridge Program offers a limited number of graduating Upward Bound seniors a chance to earn six free college credits at Bloomsburg University during the summer after they graduate from high school. Books and academic supplies are provided. Required workshops, study sessions, and advising meetings further prepare bridge students to succeed in college, regardless of where they plan to attend college in the fall.

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

Upward Bound Offers...

• Weekly after school meetings from mid-September to mid-May
• Peer tutoring or referrals to tutoring help
• Career and personal strengths assessments
• Visits to college fairs and tours of nearby college campuses
• An annual trip to the Philadelphia National College Fair for interested students & parents/guardians
• Professional mentoring and academic coaching
• Career exploration and guidance
• Study skills help and growth
• Help with financial aid applications and finding scholarships
• Help with college applications
• Fee waivers for admissions applications
• SAT and ACT prep and help with registration
• SAT and ACT fee waivers (good for up to 2 test dates each)
• Eligibility for scholarships offered only to TRIO students
• Family workshops on college planning and financial aid
• Community service and volunteer opportunities
• Field trips to museums, historical sites, and educational destinations
• Cultural, social, and recreational opportunities
• An introduction to college life during the summer
• Possible free college credits the summer after graduating from high school
• Lasting friendships with students from other schools
• Referrals to TRIO Student Support Services programs, where available, for graduates
• Teambuilding and leadership experiences
• Participation stipends (money)
• Fun!
• Lifetime memories!

Who's Eligible to Join?

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

• They attend one of the program's eight target high schools: Berwick, Mahanoy, Milton, Mount Carmel, North Schuylkill, Pottsville, Shamokin, or Shikellamy.
• They live in a household where neither parent or guardian has earned a bachelor's (four year) degree and/or their household income falls within the program's federal income guidelines.
• They are in grade 9 or 10 or in the first marking period of 11th grade.
• They plan to attend college immediately after graduating from high school.
• They will regularly attend weekly after school meetings and occasional on campus events.
• They will attend at least one Summer Academy at Bloomsburg University.

For more information on the application process and a link to the online application, please visit the "How to Apply" link below

The Upward Bound Staff

Staff members for Bloomsburg University's TRIO Upward Bound program are listed below. Click on their names to send them an email.

• John Kula, Director
• Jennifer Fox Wood, Academic Coordinator
• Theresa Baylor, Office Manager (Part Time)

The Upward Bound staff members are proud members of the Pennsylvania Association of TRIO Programs (PA TRIO), Mid-Eastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MEAEOPP), and the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE).