Ready to Apply?
UB 1 Target Schools
Students must be located in one of the following target high schools:
- Sam Houston
- Grand Prairie HS
UB 2 Target Schools
Students must be located in one of the following target high schools:
- Arlington HS
- James Bowie HS
- Juan Seguin HS
- Lamar HS
- South Grand Prairie HS
- Timberview HS
- Summit HS
Prospective Students
Am I eligible for Upward Bound?
You are eligible to participate in a TRiO Upward Bound program if you meet the following requirements:
- Are a US citizen or meet residency requirements
- Meet federal income guidelines
- Are a first-generation college student
- Have a need for academic support
Application Process
- Apply - submit your online application ASAP with supporting material
- Interview - check your email for a confirmation from Upward Bound and invitation for an interview two-three weeks after submitting a complete application! The interview is for us to get to know YOU!
- Decision - you will receive an email and phone notification a week after your interview with a decision.
- Orientation - if accepted, your parents and you will need to attend.
- Attend your FIRST event - check our calendar for the first event you will be able to attend. You MUST complete orientation before attending your first event.
Required Documents
In order to complete your Upward Bound application, you will have to submit all listed items below:
Students
- High School or Junior High Transcript
- Most Recent Report Card
- STARR Test Scores
- Two Letters of Recommendation Forms
Parents
- Most Recent Tax Return
- School Records Release Form
Current Students
Program Expectations
Remain active until you graduate HS by
- Attending program and events regularly
- Submitting required documented when needed
- Maintain good grades and taking rigorous courses
- Meet with Education Advisor regularly
- Respect other program participants and staff
Upward Bound Seniors College Checklist
- Apply for Admissions
- Submit your Financial Aid Application
- Apply for Scholarships
- Visit Preview Days for your choice colleges
- Accept Financial Aid Offer and Admissions
- Notify the colleges you will not be attending
Community Service
UB Participants must complete 5 hours of documented volunteer and/or community service per month. All volunteer and community service hours completed for the semester should be entered in the log provided. Volunteer sponsors are asked to sign the participant’s form each month as verification. The form is then reviewed by the students’ Educational Advisor at the end of each month.
Point System
Upward Bound will allot points for a student’s success. Earned points will allow students to be eligible for travel opportunities, certain privileges, and awards. Program Staff can, at any time, award points but can also take away points if students are not meeting the standard as dedicated in the Student Handbook.
The following points will be needed for travel and participation:
- 600 Points needed to attend Spring Break Trip
- 800 Points needed to attend Summer Program
- 1000 Points needed to attend Summer Bridge Program
- 100 Points needed to attend college trips in DFW
- 200 Points needed to participate in extracurricular trips such as basketball games
Services
Free Services we Provide Our Students
- Academic Enrichment
- Career Exploration
- College Readiness
- College Trips
- Cultural Awareness
- Service & Leadership
6 Week Summer Residential Program
An opportunity to further receive academic enrichment in preparation for the upcoming school year and get a glimpse of what college life is like, participants live and study on UTA campus for 6 weeks beginning in June.
- Academics - students will be enrolled in Literature, Composition, Foreign Language, Science, Math, and College Readiness classes to provide an insight of the student’s upcoming academic year!
- Electives - classes will often change every summer to offer the student an opportunity to receive new experiences. Past classes have been: Leadership, Robotics, Game Design, Soccer, Volleyball, and Basketball.
- Residential Campus Life - students will live on campus in one of UTA’s residence halls and will experience campus life! Residential Advisors will be monitoring and supervising students throughout the students’ stay on campus.
- Summer Activities - cultural and social opportunities will be available for students to grow in career development, social and emotional development, and community services. Previous events have included the College2Career Conference, Texas Ranger Baseball games, local and statewide college tours, TRiO Olympiad, Dallas Summer Musicals, and Shakespeare in the Park.
- Summer Trip - students who have successfully met all the requirements of the summer session are eligible to attend our summer trip. The purpose of the summer trip is to visit out of state colleges and provide an opportunity to see experience other cities. Previous trips have included Colorado, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Non-Residential
Students not enrolled in the Summer Residential Program due to their attendance in a mandated summer school enrollment, dual credit, or summer training program are able to fulfill this requirement by completing the Alternative Summer Assignment (ASA) form. This assignment is designed to meet the needs of and provide guidance for self-motivated learners. There are two options available for completing the Alternate Summer Assignment.
- Option 1 - the student must verify they are enrolled in a summer academic program and provide verification on or before May 30 provide the report card with the grades and credits earned and verification, they’ve completed ten hours of documented community service.
- Option 2 - must meet with your Educational Advisor weekly throughout the summer, completed twenty hours of documented community service and attend College 2 Career Conference held in June.
Summer Bridge
Following high school graduation, Upward Bound participants can earn up to 6 hours of college credit and at no cost to themselves or their families. The program is held during the second summer session at UTA. There is also no obligation or commitment to stay at UTA after the conclusion of the Bridge Program. Academic success is the focus of the Bridge Program, as students are provided with resources such as tutoring, academic advising, and weekly academic success seminars. During the five-week summer session, students also participate in cultural activities and enjoy leisure activities in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Benefits:
- Special Lectures - seminars that will give the student's knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to be successful during the first year of college and beyond.
- Course Support - books, supplies, and tutorial sessions are available to complete coursework successfully. Coursework is transferable to most other institutions of higher education.
- Housing - residential housing on UTA campus.
- Access to Research Venues - opportunities to visit scientific and career related institutions.
Student Advisory Council
The UTA Upward Bound Student Advisory Council (SAC) is an advisory body through which eligible, student-voted Upward Bound students may make recommendations to the program Director relative to interests, concerns, and issues that affect the students of the UTA Upward Bound program.
The Council may advise on specific issues and otherwise act at the requests of the Director. The Council shall endeavor to keep the Upward Bound students informed and in turn keep the Director and administrative staff advised of the needs and interests of the students on issues and activities affecting them.
Interested in joining SAC? Reach out to your Educational Advisor for more information on how to be selected!
