As a college preparatory program, Upward Bound provides its participants with a wide range of services aimed at improving their academic skills, motivation and determination to pursue a post-secondary education.

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. Upward Bound projects provide academic instruction in mathematics, laboratory sciences, composition, literature, and foreign languages. Tutoring, counseling, mentoring, cultural enrichment, and work-study programs are also supported.