UW Upward Bound TRIO Program Receives Five

A college preparatory program for eligible high school students offered through the University of Wyoming has received federal funding for the next five years.

The Upward Bound (UB) program received a five-year, $2.43 million TRIO grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant was awarded to UW’s UB program from more than 1,500 proposals submitted nationwide in a competitive, discretionary grant competition. The grant will allow UW to continue to provide college access and academic preparation services throughout Wyoming.

UB is among TRIO programs offered at UW through Student Educational Opportunity (SEO), a unit of the Division of Academic Affairs. TRIO programs are federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO offers eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs.

The goal of the UB program is to help low-income and first-generation students complete high school prepared to enter college and graduate from a baccalaureate degree program, says Michael Wade, SEO associate director.

UB staff located in Laramie, Cheyenne, Casper and Fremont County serve 105 program participants each year, selected from among 14 targeted schools across four Wyoming counties and the Wind River Indian Reservation.

“During the school year, the UB staff conducts academic enrichments, coordinates individual and group tutoring, provides college entrance exam preparation and financial aid/scholarship application assistance, and holds workshops to familiarize parents with college admissions and financial aid processes,” Wade says.

UB also conducts a six-week summer program on the UW campus to help each student complete seven key areas of academic study and a scientific research project. A select number of UB high school seniors also are able to earn at least six UW credits before college entry by participating in the UB summer Bridge Program.

Among other Upward Bound goals are raising high school GPAs to a level consistent with college entry; preparing students for successful application and entry into college; and helping students and families pursue federal financial aid and other funding sources to attend college.

During the high school year, services include academic advising and tutoring; course planning assistance; career counseling and college visits; ACT exam preparation; cultural, social and enrichment activities; monthly stipends; and scholarship and financial aid advice.

According to UB data, the program’s participants are 25 percent more likely to graduate from high school and 17 percent more likely to enroll in college than program-eligible nonparticipants at high schools served by the program.

For more information about UW’s Upward Bound program, visit www.uwyo.edu/seo/upward-bound or call (307) 766-6189. Offices are located in Room 330 of Knight Hall.