What is Upward Bound?
Upward Bound is an academic support program designed to increase high school students' opportunities in attending college.
Who is eligible for Upward Bound?
There are 145 students in our program from Cloudland, Unaka, Hampton, Happy Valley, Elizabethton, Johnson County, Unicoi County, Washington County, and Sullivan County High Schools. Students must meet at least one of the following criteria in order to be accepted into the program: 1) family income meets federal guidelines, and/or 2) neither parent obtained a degree from a four-year college.
Students start the three/four-year program in the beginning of their freshman or sophomore year and remain in the program until they begin their college career.
What will you be doing while in the Upward Bound Program?
During the school year, Upward Bound meets on various Monday nights on the campus of ETSU. The Upward Bound program provides transportation from the high schools to ETSU and back to the high schools for these academic sessions.
During the summer, students participate in a six-week residential program on the campus of ETSU. The students attend classes in four academic areas (Mathematics, Science, Communications, and Foreign Language) in the morning; the afternoon schedule offers a variety of classes such as: computer, art, crafts, music, and physical fitness activities.
Also, Upward Bound students attend several educational and cultural activities throughout the year.
How long can you be in the Upward Bound Program?
From the time a student is selected, he or she may be in the program until high school graduation. Following high school graduation, our program enrolls them in two summer college classes and pays the tuition and other expenses. Students earn six hours of college credit and are referred to as our "bridge" students. (see Summer Handbook for more summer information)
Am I expected to go to college at East Tennessee State University?
No. Many of our students decide to attend East Tennessee State University, but we do not recruit for the University. We encourage our students to go to the college that best suits their needs and future plans.
How much does it cost to be in Upward Bound?
There is no cost to the student or the family for being in the Upward Bound Program. The program pays all of the cost for the participants. Students actually earn money while in the Upward Bound Program. During the academic year students earn money for every session they attend and every school visit they attend. During the summer, the students receive a $10.00 stipend per week that can be used on anything the student wishes.