For income eligibility, Upward Bound looks at TAXABLE income which is different than the gross income programs like the School Lunch Program use. Upward Bound gross income limits are HIGHER than School Lunch Program gross income limits. PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME THAT YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE! Even higher income students may be eligible for Upward Bound!!!

If you are eligible by family income and/or by parent education, you may complete an application for admission to the program.

The application includes a Student Application which asks about your current academic and outside interests as well as your future career and education plans. We also request a four to five paragraph autobiographical statement.

There is also a Parent Application which asks about family size and income, parent education level and medical information. We also ask your parents to tell us a little about what they see as your strengths and weaknesses and what their hopes for your future are.

And, there is a School Recommendation section to be completed by your guidance counselor or a teacher who knows you. We ask for your current and past year transcripts, standardized test scores and rank in class.

When we get your completed application, we will look to see if your current performance and future plans and goals look like a good match for UB. We expect applicants to have at least a 2.00 grade point average and be taking or commit to take a full load of college prep classes. After reviewing your application we will contact you to schedule an interview or to let you know we will not consider you for the program.

A staff person will come to your home to interview you and your parents. At this time we will let you know exactly what Upward Bound expects of participants and you can ask questions to see if you are really interested. Following the interview, we'll let you know if you have been accepted or not.