Program Description
Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves high school students from low-income families; and high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.
Required Services
All Upward Bound projects must provide the following:
- Academic tutoring to enable students to complete secondary or postsecondary courses, which may include instruction in reading, writing, study skills, mathematics, science, and other subjects;
- Advice and assistance in secondary and postsecondary course selection;
- Assistance in preparing for college entrance examinations and completing college admission applications;
- Financial aid preparation including:
- Information on the full range of Federal student financial aid programs and benefits (including Federal Pell Grant awards and loan forgiveness) and resources for locating public and private scholarships; and
- Assistance in completing financial aid applications, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid described in section 1090(a) of the Higher Education Act
- Guidance on and assistance in:
- secondary school reentry;
- alternative education programs for secondary school dropouts that lead to the receipt of a regular secondary school diploma;
- entry into general educational development (GED) programs; or
- postsecondary education; and
- Education or counseling services designed to improve the financial literacy and economic literacy of students or the students' parents, including financial planning for postsecondary education.
Additional Permissible Services
Any Upward Bound project may also provide services such as:
- Exposure to cultural events, academic programs, and other activities not usually available to disadvantaged youth;
- Information, activities, and instruction designed to acquaint youth participating in the project with the range of career options available to the youth;
- On-campus residential programs;
- Mentoring programs involving elementary school or secondary school teachers or counselors, faculty members at institutions of higher education, students, or any combination of such persons;
- Work-study positions where youth participating in the project are exposed to careers requiring a postsecondary degree;
- Special services, including mathematics and science preparation, to enable veterans to make the transition to postsecondary education; and
- Programs and activities as described in any of the above that are specially designed for students who are limited English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally underrrepresented in postsecondary education, students with disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths, students who are in foster care or are aging out of the foster car system, or other disconnected students.
Funding History
The program-level information below shows historical funding allocation, number of awards, number of participants, average award, average number of participants and average cost per participant for fiscal years 2011 through 2023.
| Fiscal Year | Funding Allocation | Number of Awards | Number of Participants | Average Award | Average Number of Participants | Average Cost Per Participant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $379,875,608 | 1,026 | 73,519 | $370,249 | 72 | $5,167 |
| 2023 | $380,199,608 | 1,030 | 74,294 | $369,126 | 72 | $5,118 |
| 2022 | $366,203,750 | 1,023 | 73,994 | $357,970 | 72 | $4,949 |
| 2021 | $335,817,182 | 966 | 70,744 | $347,637 | 73 | $4,747 |
| 2020 | $352,094,127 | 966 | 70,711 | $364,487 | 73 | $4,979 |
| 2019 | $343,356,535 | 966 | 70,742 | $355,442 | 73 | $4,854 |
| 2018 | $355,592,015 | 967 | 70,914 | $367,727 | 73 | $5,014 |
| 2017 | $312,052,710 | 956 | 70,001 | $326,415 | 73 | $4,458 |
| 2016 | $270,228,385 | 810 | 61,747 | $333,615 | 76 | $4,376 |
| 2015 | $263,412,436 | 813 | 61,361 | $324,001 | 75 | $4,293 |
| 2014 | $264,578,959 | 814 | 61,458 | $325,036 | 76 | $4,305 |
| 2013i | $250,117,297 | 816 | 59,097 | $306,516 | 72 | $4,232 |
| 2012ii | $269,229,023 | 826 | 62,576 | $325,943 | 76 | $4,302 |
| 2011iii | $305,387,247 | 951 | 64,262 | $321,122 | 68 | $4,752 |
iTotal UB funding includes $331,884 from FY 2011 CCRAA funds which forward funded one UB grant for the 2013-14 project year.
iiTotal UB funding includes $1,092,718 from 2011 CCRAA funds which forward funded three UB grants for the 2012-13 project year.
iiiAmount includes $56,547,489, 176 awards and 11,078 participants from the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007.
Legislation
- Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended; Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Sec. 402C
- 20 U.S.C. 1070a-13
Regulations
- Official Final Regulations Amending TRIO Regulations, as published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2010. These final regulations amend the Upward Bound program regulations
- Title 34 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 645
- Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99
Guidance
- Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards - The Department worked closely with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to streamline some federal circulars into a single guidance document, and make conforming changes to Department regulations. The combined document is known as the "Uniform Guidance" and is codified at 2 CFR 200.
Applicant Information
The last competition for this program was held in FY 2022. View the Notice Inviting Applicants for FY 2022 Upward Bound Program (84.047A), published in the Federal Register.
Eligibility
Who May Apply:
- Institutions of higher education (IHEs)
- Public and private agencies and organizations including community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth
- Combinations of such institutions, agencies and organizations
- As appropriate to the purposes of the program, secondary schools.
Students must have completed the 8th grade, be between the ages of 13 and 19, and have a need for academic support in order to pursue a program of postsecondary education. All students must be either from low-income families or be potential first-generation college students. The program requires that two-thirds of the participants in a project must be both low-income and potential first-generation students. The remaining one-third must be either low-income, first-generation college students, or students who have a high risk for academic failure.
Resources for Applicants
- Federal TRIO Programs Current-Year Low-Income Levels
- Federal TRIO Programs Prior-Year Low-Income Levels
- Frequently Asked Questions: Upward Bound Program
Reports
- Postsecondary Degree Completion Rates Among Students on the Upward Bound/Upward Bound Math-Science to Student Support Services Pathway
- Fast Facts Report for the Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science Programs: 2017 — 18
- Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science Programs Postsecondary Outcomes Report
- Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science Program Outcomes for Participants Expected to Graduate High School in 2004-05, With Supporting Data From 2005-06
- A Profile of the Upward Bound Program: 2000-2001
- The Impact of Regular Upward Bound: Results from the Third Follow-up Data Collection (2004)
FY 2025
- Projects Funded for 2025-26
- Total Projects: 1,000
FY 2024
- Projects Funded for 2024-25
- Total Projects: 1,026
GPRA Reports
The U.S. Department of Education's annual Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) report for the Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science (UB/UBMS) program contains outcome data for two measures - postsecondary enrollment and postsecondary degree completion - and one measure of program efficiency.
Grantee-Level Performance Results: 2022-23
Grantee-Level Performance Results: 2023-24
Program Description
Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves high school students from low-income families; and high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.
Required Services
All Upward Bound projects must provide the following:
- Academic tutoring to enable students to complete secondary or postsecondary courses, which may include instruction in reading, writing, study skills, mathematics, science, and other subjects;
- Advice and assistance in secondary and postsecondary course selection;
- Assistance in preparing for college entrance examinations and completing college admission applications;
- Financial aid preparation including:
- Information on the full range of Federal student financial aid programs and benefits (including Federal Pell Grant awards and loan forgiveness) and resources for locating public and private scholarships; and
- Assistance in completing financial aid applications, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid described in section 1090(a) of the Higher Education Act
- Guidance on and assistance in:
- secondary school reentry;
- alternative education programs for secondary school dropouts that lead to the receipt of a regular secondary school diploma;
- entry into general educational development (GED) programs; or
- postsecondary education; and
- Education or counseling services designed to improve the financial literacy and economic literacy of students or the students' parents, including financial planning for postsecondary education.
Additional Permissible Services
Any Upward Bound project may also provide services such as:
- Exposure to cultural events, academic programs, and other activities not usually available to disadvantaged youth;
- Information, activities, and instruction designed to acquaint youth participating in the project with the range of career options available to the youth;
- On-campus residential programs;
- Mentoring programs involving elementary school or secondary school teachers or counselors, faculty members at institutions of higher education, students, or any combination of such persons;
- Work-study positions where youth participating in the project are exposed to careers requiring a postsecondary degree;
- Special services, including mathematics and science preparation, to enable veterans to make the transition to postsecondary education; and
- Programs and activities as described in any of the above that are specially designed for students who are limited English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally underrrepresented in postsecondary education, students with disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths, students who are in foster care or are aging out of the foster car system, or other disconnected students.
Funding History
The program-level information below shows historical funding allocation, number of awards, number of participants, average award, average number of participants and average cost per participant for fiscal years 2011 through 2023.
| Fiscal Year | Funding Allocation | Number of Awards | Number of Participants | Average Award | Average Number of Participants | Average Cost Per Participant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $379,875,608 | 1,026 | 73,519 | $370,249 | 72 | $5,167 |
| 2023 | $380,199,608 | 1,030 | 74,294 | $369,126 | 72 | $5,118 |
| 2022 | $366,203,750 | 1,023 | 73,994 | $357,970 | 72 | $4,949 |
| 2021 | $335,817,182 | 966 | 70,744 | $347,637 | 73 | $4,747 |
| 2020 | $352,094,127 | 966 | 70,711 | $364,487 | 73 | $4,979 |
| 2019 | $343,356,535 | 966 | 70,742 | $355,442 | 73 | $4,854 |
| 2018 | $355,592,015 | 967 | 70,914 | $367,727 | 73 | $5,014 |
| 2017 | $312,052,710 | 956 | 70,001 | $326,415 | 73 | $4,458 |
| 2016 | $270,228,385 | 810 | 61,747 | $333,615 | 76 | $4,376 |
| 2015 | $263,412,436 | 813 | 61,361 | $324,001 | 75 | $4,293 |
| 2014 | $264,578,959 | 814 | 61,458 | $325,036 | 76 | $4,305 |
| 2013i | $250,117,297 | 816 | 59,097 | $306,516 | 72 | $4,232 |
| 2012ii | $269,229,023 | 826 | 62,576 | $325,943 | 76 | $4,302 |
| 2011iii | $305,387,247 | 951 | 64,262 | $321,122 | 68 | $4,752 |
iTotal UB funding includes $331,884 from FY 2011 CCRAA funds which forward funded one UB grant for the 2013-14 project year.
iiTotal UB funding includes $1,092,718 from 2011 CCRAA funds which forward funded three UB grants for the 2012-13 project year.
iiiAmount includes $56,547,489, 176 awards and 11,078 participants from the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007.
Legislation
- Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended; Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Sec. 402C
- 20 U.S.C. 1070a-13
Regulations
- Official Final Regulations Amending TRIO Regulations, as published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2010. These final regulations amend the Upward Bound program regulations
- Title 34 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 645
- Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99
Guidance
- Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards - The Department worked closely with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to streamline some federal circulars into a single guidance document, and make conforming changes to Department regulations. The combined document is known as the "Uniform Guidance" and is codified at 2 CFR 200.
Applicant Information
The last competition for this program was held in FY 2022. View the Notice Inviting Applicants for FY 2022 Upward Bound Program (84.047A), published in the Federal Register.
Eligibility
Who May Apply:
- Institutions of higher education (IHEs)
- Public and private agencies and organizations including community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth
- Combinations of such institutions, agencies and organizations
- As appropriate to the purposes of the program, secondary schools.
Students must have completed the 8th grade, be between the ages of 13 and 19, and have a need for academic support in order to pursue a program of postsecondary education. All students must be either from low-income families or be potential first-generation college students. The program requires that two-thirds of the participants in a project must be both low-income and potential first-generation students. The remaining one-third must be either low-income, first-generation college students, or students who have a high risk for academic failure.
Resources for Applicants
- Federal TRIO Programs Current-Year Low-Income Levels
- Federal TRIO Programs Prior-Year Low-Income Levels
- Frequently Asked Questions: Upward Bound Program
Reports
- Postsecondary Degree Completion Rates Among Students on the Upward Bound/Upward Bound Math-Science to Student Support Services Pathway
- Fast Facts Report for the Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science Programs: 2017 — 18
- Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science Programs Postsecondary Outcomes Report
- Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science Program Outcomes for Participants Expected to Graduate High School in 2004-05, With Supporting Data From 2005-06
- A Profile of the Upward Bound Program: 2000-2001
- The Impact of Regular Upward Bound: Results from the Third Follow-up Data Collection (2004)
FY 2025
- Projects Funded for 2025-26
- Total Projects: 1,000
FY 2024
- Projects Funded for 2024-25
- Total Projects: 1,026
GPRA Reports
The U.S. Department of Education's annual Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) report for the Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science (UB/UBMS) program contains outcome data for two measures - postsecondary enrollment and postsecondary degree completion - and one measure of program efficiency.
