Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in pre-college performance and ultimately in higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves high school students from low-income families, high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelors degree, and low-income, first-generation military veterans who are preparing to enter postsecondary education. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rates at which participants enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.
The CSULB Upward Bound Program offers its services to students year-round. The program is broken up into two major components plus special events:
Both the academic and summer components are designed to assist participants in successfully matriculating to postsecondary education. Curriculum emphasis is placed on reading, mathematics, laboratory sciences, composition & literature, computer application and foreign language. Centered in the areas of study skills development, career planning, health education, physical education and multiculturalism will be supplemental instruction and workshops. Instruction and tutorials will also focus on PSAT, SAT, and ACT test preparation, skills which are necessary for college admission. Additionally, career exploration, work experience, and mentoring will be an integral component to assist participants in deciding on potential college majors and career options.
Students in the Upward Bound program are four times more likely to earn an undergraduate degree than those students from similar backgrounds who did not participate in TRIO.