Upward Bound

What is TRiO Upward Bound?

TRiO Upward Bound is a federally funded program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. The program provides support services (such as tutoring, mentoring, and work study opportunities), cultural enrichment, college visits, and community service components to qualifying District 150 students.

Mission

TRiO 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. TRiO Upward Bound aims to increase the rates at which participants complete secondary education, enroll in, and graduate from institutions of post-secondary education.

Introduction

The purpose of TRiO Upward Bound is to reinforce the academic skills and generate the personal motivation necessary to complete a college education. The Illinois Central College TRiO Upward Bound program is one of the several hundred programs nationwide supported by funds from the U.S. Department of Education. Its basic goal is to develop the academic skills and personal growth necessary for the students to successfully complete high school and enroll in college. The program is divided into two major components: the Summer component and the Academic Year component. During the summer, students are exposed to intensive academic, cultural, and recreational experiences on the Illinois Central College North Campus. When students return to their respective high schools during the academic year, Illinois Central College TRiO Upward Bound conducts an after school program in which workshops, activities, tutoring, and counseling services are offered Monday through Thursday. During both components, the emphasis is on skill development and academic preparation through small group instruction and one-on-one tutoring.

Membership Privileges

As participants in Illinois Central College TRiO Upward Bound, students are entitled to take full advantage of these program offerings: specifically designed courses, tutoring, special workshops, trips, college visits, and cultural/social functions.

Academic Policies

To promote students’ academic preparation, Illinois Central College has adopted a series of courses and requirements to guide students toward a college preparatory program of study. Thus, TRiO Upward Bound encourages all students to be enrolled in a college preparatory program in high school. The Illinois Central College TRiO Upward Bound counselor will work with parents and high school counselors to ensure students are taking the proper courses to ensure college readiness. All students are encouraged to take the following standard “4-4-3-3-3” program of study:

• 4 years of college preparatory English
• 4 years of college preparatory mathematics
• 3 years of laboratory science
• 3 years of social science
• 3 years of a foreign language

* It is recommended all students take Economics, Accounting and a web-based technology course.

Admission

Students will be admitted to TRiO Upward Bound based on the following criteria: grade point average according to grade level, recommendations, established need for the program, a written statement from the student regarding his/her interest in UB, and a personal interview. These criteria will be coupled with low income and/or potential first generation college student status.

UB Minimum GPAs for Admission

• 9th Grade 2.00
• 10th Grade 2.30
• 11th Grade 2.50
• 12th Grade 2.70

Funded by the US Department of Education