Upward Bound Information

WHAT IS UPWARD BOUND?

  • Upward Bound is a program which helps eligible students prepare for college.
  • Upward Bound offers academic advising, tutoring, college information and visits, career exploration, personal and social development workshops, academic and cultural enrichment, and assistance with financial aid searches. 
  • Upward Bound is a TRIO program funded by the Department of Education. TRIO programs help students overcome class, social, academic, and cultural barriers to higher education. Upward Bound was created in 1965 and now serves more than 56,000 students in 763 Upward Bound projects nationwide.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN UPWARD BOUND?

  • Learn how to be a better student 
  • Learn about colleges and how to choose the one right for you
  • Learn what steps you can take now to prepare for college
  • Learn how to apply for college
  • Learn how financial aid works and how to apply for it
  • Learn about careers for college graduates in your area of interest
  • Learn how to do better on standardized tests like the ACT
  • Learn more about yourself and the world through field trips, speakers, cultural events, and being on a college campus for 6 weeks each summer
  • Make new friends who also want to go to college
  • Earn a monthly stipend for attendance and grades

WHERE AND WHEN IS UPWARD BOUND OFFERED?

  • During the school year, an advisor meets with the Upward Bound students each week. Tutoring in various subjects is provided at your school.
  • Six times each school year, the Upward Bound students from Menomonie, Colfax, Boyceville and Elk Mound High Schools get together for an educational or cultural activity on a Saturday, Sunday, or evening.
  • For six weeks during the summer, Upward Bound students meet on the campus of University of Wisconsin-Stout.  The students attend classes and participate in a variety of activities.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR UPWARD BOUND?

UW-Stout Upward Bound serves high school students with potential for success in post-secondary education who have a need for the services provided by Upward Bound. Upward Bound students are both:

  • Students who want to continue their education beyond high school, and
  • Students with financial needs and/or students living with parents or guardians who have not received a Bachelor's degree.
  • Students that meet the federal income guidelines
  • Students who are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
  • Students at Menomonie, Boyceville, Colfax, and Elk Mound High Schools
  • Students with a 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

There is no cost to students or their families. Moreover, students receive a stipend for their attendance and good grades.

WHAT'S EXPECTED OF UPWARD BOUND STUDENTS?

UW-Stout Upward Bound students are expected to take personal responsibility for their futures by striving to excel in the classroom and preparing themselves to succeed in college. Specifically, Upward Bound students make a commitment to:

  • Enroll in a college preparatory curriculum
  • Work to build a good academic record
  • Attend Upward Bound weekly meetings at their school, academic advising sessions, monthly activities, and the 6-week summer program

A NOTE TO PARENTS

Upward Bound recognizes and values the tremendous influence parents have in preparing their children to be successful in college. Parents are included in yearly academic advising sessions and are kept informed of program activities and their child’s progress in the program. Full-time staff is available by phone for parent questions or concerns. Parents are welcomed as chaperones or volunteers.

WHAT KIND OF STUDENT DO WE WANT?

  • Students possessing these characteristics:
    • Academic need
    • Academic discipline
    • Motivation
    • Sense of commitment
    • Cultural diversity appreciation
  • 8th graders planning to enroll at one of the four target schools:
Menomonie HS      Boyceville HS       Colfax HS       Elk Mound HS

DOES PARTICIPATION IN UPWARD BOUND MEAN THAT I HAVE TO ATTEND UW-STOUT?

No. Upward Bound provides students with the knowledge, advising, and support needed to make a healthy transition to the college of their choice. The program wants students to attend a college/university that meets their specific needs and provides them with the support to be successful. It is a requirement that Upward Bound seniors apply to at least three colleges/universities.

DOES UPWARD BOUND PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS?

No. Upward Bound does not give participants scholarships. The program provides students with advising and guidance about how to make college affordable. Students receive information, resources, and skills that will help them with the financial aid and scholarship application processes.

Students that would like to continue in a TRiO program while in college should like for a SSS(Student Support Services) program at universities they are considering.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ATTEND FIELD TRIPS WITH UPWARD BOUND?

All field trips during the academic-year and summer components are sponsored by Upward Bound; all expenses are paid by the program. Students may bring extra "spending money" for novelty items and souvenirs from the gift shops, college bookstores, etc. visited during the field trips.

DOES UPWARD BOUND PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION?

Yes. Upward Bound provides transportation for scheduled field trips (college tours, museums, career fairs, etc.) during the academic-year and summer components. Parents/guardians must bring their son/daughter to campus for field trips that take place during the academic year, and summer component.

All drivers (independently contracted or reserved through UW-Stout) are trained, professionals that hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) and are certified to operate 15-passenger vans, charter buses, and other large motor vehicles.

All other transportation to and from the campus is the responsibility of the family.