Upward Bound receives five-year grant

October 5, 2018

University Relations

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a five-year grant to UAF's Upward Bound program.

The department initially rejected UAF's 2017 Upward Bound grant application, as well as those from many other organizations, on technical grounds. After agreeing to review the applications, the department recently awarded UAF an Upward Bound grant of $790,000 annually for five years.

The UAF Upward Bound College Bound program strives to improve the graduation rates of high school students and increase the number of students who enter colleges and universities. The program offers two strands: a school-year program that works with 10 high schools in Alaska and a six-week residential summer program.

Upward Bound College Bound serves 160 low-income, first-generation college students who demonstrate the potential for academic success and whose parents have not earned college degrees. Services offered in target schools include tutorial sessions; educational, recreational or cultural events; group activities; exploration of postsecondary education opportunities and visits to campuses; financial aid application assistance; and participation in a six-week summer program on the Fairbanks campus.

The summer experience emphasizes academic development and growth and helps Upward Bound students learn about residence life and services on the Fairbanks campus.