Upward Bound Original

Fact Sheet

The Original Upward Bound Project at California State University, Chico was first funded in 1966 to serve 50 students. It is one of the oldest and most respected programs in the nation and it is the longest running grant on the Chico campus. The program has grown to serve 125 students annually in seven North State High Schools.

Upward Bound is a year-round program for motivated students with academic potential who want to continue their education after high school. Upward Bound provides the following services to students:

• Weekly academic tutoring
• Test preparation workshops
• Parent workshops in their native language
• Six week summer residential program
• Leadership development
• Laptop and equipment loan program
• Assistance with A-G college prep course selection
• Financial aid and college application assistance
• College visitation trips
• Career exploration internships

Participant Eligibility

At least two-thirds of the participants must be both

• Low-income (family income within 150% of poverty-see "Low-Income Levels" below)
• A potential first generation college student (neither parent with whom the student resides has a four-year college degree)

The other one-third of the participants can be either low-income or first generation college.

Applicants must also be the following

• A citizen or permanent resident (must have a Green Card)
• Ages 13 to 19 (grades 9-11 at the time of selection). 8th graders are eligible to apply.
• Attending one of the following schools or planning to enroll in one of the following schools:

Annual Low-Income Levels for Participant Eligibility:

(Effective January 19, 2023 until further notice)

"For family units with more than eight members, add the following amount for each additional family member: $7,710 for the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia and outlying jurisdictions; $9,645 for Alaska; and $8,865 for Hawaii.

The term "low-income individual" means an individual whose family's taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level amount.

The figures shown under family income represent amounts equal to 150 percent of the family income levels established by the Census Bureau for determining poverty status. The poverty guidelines were published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Federal Register  on January 19, 2023 and are effective as of January 19, 2023."

(Source: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/trio/incomelevels.html)