Upward Bound Program
Upward Bound is a FREE federally funded program that helps eligible high school students successfully complete high school and prepare for college.
About
The primary services provided are academic instruction, tutoring, career counseling and training, cultural enrichment and skill-building in the areas of leadership and college preparation.
Eligibility
You are eligible to join if:
- You are a ninth or tenth grader at any high school in Elizabeth or East Orange, New Jersey
- You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- You can demonstrate academic need with the potential for success
- You meet one or both of the following criteria:
- You are a first-generation college student (neither parent has a bachelor's degree)
- You meet income eligibility requirements as determined by federal guidelines
Primary Services
- Academic and personal advising
- Test preparation (PSAT, SAT and ACT)
- College and career exploration
- Academic skills and personal development workshops
- Team building and leadership development
- Academic instruction, tutoring and mentoring
- Educational, cultural, enrichment field trips
- Assistance in completing college financial aid and scholarship applications
- Six-week Summer Residential Academic Enrichment program at Kean University
Academic Year Component
During the academic year component, students attend approximately 20 bi-monthly Saturday meetings at Kean University.
Summer Component
Students participate in a six-week residential summer component at Kean University. The summer component allows students to experience college life by taking academic classes, receiving counseling and participating in various activities and cultural events. At the beginning of each summer, Upward Bound provides students and their families with a summer events calendar with dates for check-in and check-out, field trips and evening activities.