The Upward Bound program has been renewed at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. It offers low-income and first-generation high school students the skills and motivation needed to realize their dream of pursuing and completing a college education.
The program was awarded a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to serve 96 eligible students in eight target schools in central and northern Wisconsin. This includes Almond-Bancroft High School, Lakeland Union High School (Minocqua and Lac du Flambeau), Lincoln High School (Wisconsin Rapids), Nekoosa High School, Rosholt High School, Stevens Point Area Senior High, Tomahawk High School and Waupaca High School.
Annual services include academic advising, tutoring, ACT test preparation, college admission application assistance, college financial aid (FAFSA) assistance, financial literacy, college visits and a six-week residential summer program on the UW-Stevens Point campus. The program has an annual budget of $493,320.
“High school students from low-income or first-generation college backgrounds, where neither parent has completed a four-year college degree, pursue postsecondary education at a significantly lower rate than their peers,” said Judy Young, Upward Bound director at UW-Stevens Point. “Upward Bound services greatly increase these students’ odds of getting admitted to college and successfully completing a degree.”
Upward Bound is a federal TRIO outreach program. To learn more and apply, go to www.uwsp.edu/upbound.