TRIO Upward Bound

This listing applies to Upward Bound, Veterans Upward Bound, and Upward Bound Math and Science.

Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for 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.

Institutions of higher education, public and private agencies and organizations including community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth, combinations of such institutions, agencies and organizations, and as appropriate to the purposes of the program, secondary schools.

Low-income individuals and potential first generation college students who have a need for academic support in order to successfully pursue a program of postsecondary education. Two-thirds of the participants must be low-income individuals who are also potential first generation college students. The remaining one-third must be either low-income, first-generation college students, or students who have a high risk for academic failure. Required low-income criteria are stated in application materials. Except for veterans, who can be served regardless of age, project participants must be between 13 and 19 years old and have completed the eighth grade but have not entered the twelfth grade (exceptions allowed).

Projects must provide academic tutoring services, advice on and assistance in selecting secondary and college courses, assistance in preparing for college entrance exams and in completing college applications, information on student financial aid and assistance in completing financial aid applications, services designed to improve financial and economic literacy, and guidance and assistance in re-entering and completing secondary school. Projects may also provide exposure to cultural events, academic programs and other activities not usually available to disadvantaged youth; personal and career counseling; information on career options; summer college campus residential programs; services specially designed for students with disabilities or limited English proficiency, homeless children and youth, and students in foster care; and to pay stipends to students, not to exceed $40 a month during the academic year and $60 a month during the summer. A grantee may not use the project as part of its recruitment program. Separate projects provide special services for veterans and for students with a special interest in math and science.

ED specifies unallowable costs in 34 CFR 645.41 and references additional regulations outlining funding restrictions in funding notices for the program.

Five year projects; annual awards.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

For new awards, applicants will be selected on the basis of the criteria set forth in 34 CFR 645.31. Contact the program office for additional information.

Selected nonfederal field readers who are not employees of the Federal Government evaluate new proposals on the basis of the selection criteria specified in 34 CFR 645.31. Grantees will be selected on the basis of rank order of total scores and availability of funds.

From 90 to 180 days.

Continuation awards for up to 5 years approved on an annual basis; subject to the availability of funds and the grantee is meeting the conditions of the grant and making substantial progress toward meeting the project objectives.

The program statute requires a second review of unsuccessful applications. The Department implements the second review process in accordance with the process specified in 34 CFR 645.35. An unsuccessful applicant requesting a second review must provide evidence that the Department, an agent of the Department, or a peer reviewer made a technical, administrative, or scoring error in the processing or review of its application.