Upward Bound (U.S. Department of Education)

Upward Bound is a federal TRIO program operated through local colleges and universities across the country, serving low-income and/or potential first-generation students who have completed 8th grade (ages 13-19) with free year-round tutoring and counseling plus a residential summer instructional session on a college campus. At each funded site, at least two-thirds of participants must be both low-income and first-generation. Students apply through their own high school or a nearby host-institution site — a counselor can point to the program serving your area.

Who can apply

FieldsCollege Admissions Prep

EligibilityLow-income and/or potential first-generation college students who have completed 8th grade; at least two-thirds of participants per site must be both low-income and first-generation

SelectivityAbout 1,000 federally funded host sites serving roughly 73,500 students nationally; FY2024 funding of $379,875,608 across 1,026 awards, continuing into 2025-26

Logistics

Applying

You submitApply through your high school or a local host-institution site