- Eligible students will be selected from the 9th and 11th grades at Sturgis High School and Three Rivers High School.
- Must meet income eligibility requirements established by the U.S. Department of Education and/or be
- First-generation college from above high schools (neither parent has a bachelor's degree)
What is Upward Bound?
Upward Bound is a federally funded program designed to help students complete high school and prepare for, enroll in, and graduate from a post-secondary institution. Provided services include after-school tutoring and workshops, in-school counseling and advising, six-week summer school featuring college prep classes, once-a-month Saturday cultural outings, enrichment field trips, and college tours.
Who will Glen Oaks’ Upward Bound serve?
Glen Oaks’ program will serve 60 students in Sturgis and Three Rivers school districts.
Who are qualified students?
Students qualify if they meet the following criteria: are 13-19 years old; are U.S. citizens or nationals; are potential first-generation college students (mother nor father has a bachelor’s degree); may meet income guidelines set by the U. S. Department of Education.
How are students selected to participate?
Students are selected through a screening process that starts with referrals from many sources including school counselors, social agencies, churches, civic groups, and parents.
How does an Upward Bound program work?
The U. S. Dept. of Education awards grants to colleges to host Upward Bound Programs. After-school activities consist of tutoring and academic advising. Saturday activities feature special workshops, college visits and cultural outings that broaden students’ perspectives by exposing them to cultural activities, introducing them to college, helping them develop interests, introducing them to career options, and instilling good decision-making, goal-setting, study skills and test-taking strategies, and citizenship skills. During the summer, six weeks of classes ( on the Glen Oaks Community College campus) provide instruction in math (pre-algebra through calculus), science (earth science through chemistry), computer technology ( an example would be web-page design), literature (beginning and advanced), and a foreign language, to improve students’ academic abilities/college preparation. Students that successfully complete the Summer Academy will receive ½ of a high school elective credit.
Students receive assistance filling out college applications as well as completing financial aid forms. All seniors are required to participate in ACT Preparation sessions.
Seniors can participate in the Summer Bridge Program the summer immediately following graduation from high school. They can take a free course to ease their transition from high school to college.
During the academic year, students can earn a $40.00 per month stipend by participating in program activities. In the summer, the stipend is $60.00 per month.
How much does the program cost?
The program is free for participating students. It is funded primarily by grant money.
What other colleges participates in this program?
About 720 colleges participate. Glen Oaks began our second four-year grant cycle on September 1, 2007
There are approximately 20 Upward Bound Programs in Michigan. The vast majority of these local programs are on-going.
What are the potential local benefits of Upward Bound?
The program offers many benefits, including:
Personalized, customized assistance
Expanded educational and career opportunities
A monthly stipend for participating
- For Sturgis and Three Rivers schools:
Higher high school completion rates
Potentially higher test scores
Higher rate of students entering post-secondary institutions
Better educated citizens that studies indicate are:
- More likely to attain higher paying jobs than those who don’t attend college
- Less likely to require community services
- Have children who are more inclined to go to college
How can someone learn more about Upward Bound?
- Browse this website!
- Contact Cynthia Copney, at 269-294-4271.