Upward Bound Overview

The TCU Upward Bound Program assists middle and high school students from six target schools in the Fort Worth Independent School District. The program provides the extra academic support needed for college entry and success. Program services are provided after school (Monday through Thursday and on Saturday) during the academic year. Students live on the TCU campus for six weeks during the summer and attend classes five days per week.

Purpose of Upward Bound

The purpose of the federally funded Upward Bound Program is to generate, within program participants, the skills and motivation necessary to complete programs of secondary education and to prepare them academically to enter and succeed in a program of postsecondary education.

Who is Eligible to Participate in the Program

According to federal regulations, potential students must meet several mandated criteria prior to being considered for acceptance into the TCU Upward Bound Program. Students must:

• Be a citizen or United States national
• Be a permanent resident of the United States
• Be in the United States for other than a temporary purpose and able to provide evidence of this or their intent to become a permanent resident
• Be a permanent resident of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
• Be a resident of the Freely Associated States; the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau
• Be either a potential first-generation college student or a low-income individual
• Have a need for academic support, as determined by both the U.S. Department of Education and  the TCU Upward Bound staff, and have the motivation to enter and succeed in a program of postsecondary education
• Have completed the eighth grade but not have entered the twelve grade
• Be at least thirteen years of age but not older than nineteen

Federal Requirements

Two-thirds of the students served through the TCU Upward Bound Program must meet the criteria as being both low-income and potential first-generation college students.  The remaining one-third of participants served may either meet the criteria of being low-income or of being a first-generation student. Students must provide documentation to verify their eligibility status. This information may be (a) a signed statement from the parent or legal guardian regarding family income; (b) verification of family income from another government source; (c) a signed financial aid application; and (d) a signed income tax statement.  To document potential first-generation status, parents of dependent participants must provide a signed statement.  Independent students may provide their own signed statement.

What Services Are Provided?

All regular Upward Bound projects must provide academic instructions in mathematics through pre-calculus, laboratory science, foreign language, composition, and literature. Additionally, the TCU Upward Bound Program provides extensive academic and personal counseling, tutoring, exposure to cultural events, and other educational activities not normally available at the high school level such as career counseling, mentoring, and college/university field trips. Services may be adapted for students with limited English speaking ability.

Cost of Program Participation

There is no cost to students who qualify. The program is fully funded through the U.S. Department of Education and by TCU. Students who actively and fully participate will be eligible to receive a program stipend. The program also offers students a small travel allowance to assist in covering transportation costs to and from the program.

How do I apply for the Program?

Students are recruited from area high schools. Counselors at each target school have been provided TCU Upward Bound Program applications and pertinent program information. Students may visit their school counseling offices to obtain an application.  Applications will provide each parent and student with easy to follow instructions.  Applications are also available in Spanish. Additionally, students may contact the TCU Upward Bound offices to obtain application materials.  Once completed, applications must be returned to the TCU Upward Bound Program offices for review. Deadlines are announced each year by the Upward Bound Director. 

* No student will be denied admission to, equitable access to, or participation in the TCU Upward Bound Program based on gender, race, color, national origin, age, or disability.

For additional information, please contact the TCU Upward Bound office at (817) 257-7946.

Contact Margaret Faust m.faust@tcu.edu for more information on the application process and additional program information.