JOIN UPWARD BOUND

WELCOME!

Your path to college starts here.

Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science help high school students prepare for college, build confidence, explore career options, and develop the skills needed to succeed after graduation.

Through academic support, college and career experiences, campus visits, hands-on activities, and a summer residential program, students have opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with others who share their goals.

Explore the information below to learn who qualifies, how to apply, and what our programs offer.

Learn More about Upward Bound

Read through our program brochure, or click on the link (below) to download it. You will learn more about what we typically do at the Upward Bound Programs at MSU. If you have any questions, please request more information. Once you're ready to join continue scrolling to select the easiest way for you to apply!

Request more information

Download the MSU UB Program Recruiting Booklet

Recruiting Brochure 2023.pdf

Qualifying for Upward Bound

There are two ways to qualify for Upward Bound:

First-generation college student

For our definition, it means that neither of your parents have completed a 4-year college degree.

Income

To qualify based on income your family must fall below income guidelines set by the US Department of Education. We look at taxable income on a sliding scale based on the size of your family.

Do I Qualify?

The easiest way to know if you qualify is to submit a complete application, and let us determine if you qualify. Often times students will qualify because they don't know specifics about the things we ask for in the application.

Ready to join?

There are four ways to complete an application, online only, by visiting your school counselor, request an application by mail, or by downloading the PDF version.

Please see below for information about each of them:

Apply Online

Click on the link at the end of this section to begin your online application. To complete this application you will need a number of things before you begin:

You cannot save the online application and return to it. Please have everything you need to complete it.

Signed electronic (PDF) of most recent tax return (1040, 1040EZ, or 1040A) or tax transcript from the IRS. If your family did not file these are not needed.
Email address of your school counselor to complete the counselor recommendation.
Email address of 2 teachers to complete the teacher recommendations.
About 15-20 minutes.
A parent or legal guardian.

Online Application Link

Request Application by Mail

To complete an application this way, you will complete an online application request form. Once the application is mailed to you, you will complete it, and mail it back in the enclosed return mail envelope. This application is the same as the PDF Application below. Instead of printing it yourself, we will print a copy and send to the address you specify. You will have to provide tax returns/transcripts, and ask 2 teachers and the guidance counselor to complete a recommendation form for you.

Visit Your School Counselor

To complete an application this way, you will need to visit a school counselor at one of the 18 schools that we serve. They will have copies of our application, and will be able to give one to you. This application is the same as the PDF Application below. You will have to provide tax returns/transcripts, and ask 2 teachers and the guidance counselor to complete a recommendation form for you.

Download a PDF Application

Downloading an application is exactly the same as visiting your school counselor (above), but you will print the forms out yourself. You'll need to print the application, which includes a guidance counselor recommendation form, and two teacher recommendation forms. The application is available below.

Student can also choose to complete a paper recommendation and ask their teachers and guidance counselor to complete an online recommendation through the Recommendation page.

UB Application.pdf

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