Upward Bound
Did You Know?

Over 90% of our graduates maintain a 2.75+ GPA during their Bridge semester.
 

About Us

The Upward Bound Program

Upward Bound is an educational TRIO Program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Established in 1989, Upward Bound at Northern Kentucky University serves 65 students, grades 9-12. Students are enrolled at specific target high schools located in the northern Kentucky region. To be eligible for the program, students must either meet federal income requirements and/or be the children of parents without baccalaureate college degrees. Entering students are enrolled in 9th or 10th grade. Upward Bound is a challenging, preparatory program for students who demonstrate the ability or desire to attend college. All program services are free for participants.

In 1965, Congress established a series of programs to help low-income and/or first generation college bound students prepare for entering and graduating from college. Initially, there were only 3 programs: Educational Talent Search , Student Support Services and Upward Bound; the TRIO label remains although there are now 5 more programs.

These programs are offered in over 1,200 colleges, universities and agencies and are funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. TRIO Programs currently serve nearly 700,000 Americans. TRIO Programs help students overcome the invisible barriers -- class, social, academic, and cultural -- which may prevent their attempting to complete a higher education.

Federal programs like TRIO "level the playing field" by providing promising students the opportunity to graduate from college. The TRIO programs at NKU are funded by the U.S. Department of Education.