Rutgers: Office of Undergraduate Education

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Program Description:

The Rutgers Upward Bound Program 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. Students enter the program upon completion of eighth grade or ninth grade and continue the program until they graduate from high school. Eligible Rutgers Upward Bound students are recruited from the Plainfield, Perth Amboy, and New Brunswick areas. Upward Bound is a year-round program consisting of two components: a six week summer academy and an academic year program.

The summer program consists of an intensive academic and student life curriculum designed to prepare students for college life. Classroom instruction is provided in literature, writing, mathematics, science, language, High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) preparation, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) preparation, and personal development. In addition to classroom instruction, students are provided with tutoring, career, financial and personal counseling as a well as cultural experiences intended to aide in preparing students for college. Students will also be introduced to college life through a comprehensive program on residential life experience.

The academic year program consists of regular visits to the students’ high schools, continual meetings with Upward Bound counseling staff, Upward Bound Students, and school guidance counselors, as well as contact with parents and guardians of Upward Bound students. Upward Bound participants are also required to attend monthly Saturday sessions and special events held on the Rutgers campuses. During these Saturday sessions students will participate in workshops that will aide in personal development, SAT preparation, career exploration as well as college planning. Special events such as college tours, cultural trips and theater will also occur during theses sessions. All classes and workshops are lead by highly trained and qualified faculty and staff of the University.

Program Eligibility:

In order to participate in Rutgers Upward Bound, students must:

Have completed 8th grade and are currently in 9th or 10th grade.
Reside in New Brunswick, Plainfield, or Perth Amboy.
Be the first generation to attend college in their family.
Meet low-income requirements as defined by the federal government.
Be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
Have at least a “C” average and need academic support in high school.
Intend to pursue a college education.
Complete the application and interview process.

History of TRIO/Upward Bound:

In the late 1960s, the term "TRIO" was coined to describe three federal outreach programs that had been developed during the 60s a part of President Lyndon B. Johnsons’ War on Poverty. Upward Bound, the first of these programs, emerged from the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The second TRIO outreach program, Talent Search, was created in 1965 as part of the Higher Education Act. In 1968, Student Support Services, which was originally known as Special Services for Disadvantaged Students, was authorized by the Higher Education Amendments and became the third in this series of educational opportunity programs.

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