Preparing Students for Collegiate Success and Beyond
“A mind that remains in the present atmosphere never undergoes sufficient development to experience what is commonly known as thinking.”
-Carter G. Woodson
The Path to Higher Education
Upward Bound is a pre-college program designed to prepare high school students attending Cincinnati Public schools, for college sucess by providing them with essential skills in the areas of academic enrichment, personal development, career exploration and cultural exposure. for The College of Mount St. Joseph's Upward Bound Program is a federal TRIO program funded by the U.S. Department of Education and the Mount. The program receives ninety five percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Education and five percent from the College of Mount St. Joseph.
Who is eligible to participate in Upward Bound Program?
The College of Mount St. Joseph's Upward Bound program serves students in grades 9-12 living in the Cincinnati Public School District. Students possessing a minimum set grade point average may enter the program during their freshman or sophomore year, and continue their membership throughout high school. The program requires students to commit to participating both during the academic year as well as the summer academy.
Upward Bound’s target population encompasses those students who are least likely to take advantage of higher education due to economic and information barriers. Two-thirds of Upward Bound members are from low income families and/or families whose heads of household do not possess a baccalaureate degree (first generation college student).
Application Process
All students and their parents/guardians must complete an application, submit a copy of their transcript and include appropriate documentation for income verification (e.g. 1040 Tax Form, Food Stamp eligibility). Once a student is determined to be eligible for the program, an interview is conducted with the child and his/her guardian/parent if there is an opening in the program. All students must have a demonstrated need for the resources provided by the program. Academic potential coupled with a desire to improve academically and attend college are the primary criteria for acceptance into the program.
What does Upward Bound offer?
Upward Bound provides academic and interpersonal support to participants throughout their high school career. Upward Bound offers a 35-week Academic year and a six-week residential summer component (Summer Academy). During the summer component rising seniors (pre-12th grade students) participate in a career/service internship, while graduating seniors enroll in up to two 3-credit college course at the Mount which is transferable to any post-secondary institution they choose to attend. Additional information on both the academic and summer components of Upward Bound can be viewed by clicking on one of the links listed below.
Download your application to Upward Bound! (PDF)
There are two components to the Upward Bound Program year:
- The Academic Year Component
- The Summer Component: Summer Academy
Upward Bound Program Staff
Director, 513-244-3280
Academic Advisor/Assistant Director, 513-244-3280
Administrative Assistant 513-244-3280
For more information, contact:
Upward Bound Program
Phone: (513) 244-3280 Fax: (513) 244-3279
E-mail - Upward_Bound@mail.msj.edu