2025-2026 New Student Application
 We're happy that you are interested in Upward Bound!  First, review the application and gather all the information you'll need to complete it. 

After, fill out the application with your parent/guardian.

Doing it all at once will make sure the application doesn’t time out.


Upward Bound is a federally funded TRIO program through the US Department of Education and sponsored by the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Upward Bound is a college preparation program that serves students who will be the first in their families to receive a Bachelor’s degree and who meet the program’s income guidelines. These conditions are set by the U.S. Department of Education, which provides funding for the program. Students are admitted to the program based on their eligibility to participate in the program, their desire to pursue a post-secondary education, their current academic performance, and the number of available spaces at the student’s school.

Schools We Serve:
In partnership with the Duluth and Minneapolis Public School Districts, the Upward Bound program serves the following high schools:

1. Denfeld High School (Duluth)
2. Edison High School (Minneapolis)
3. Roosevelt High School (Minneapolis)
4. South High School (Minneapolis)
5. Wellstone International High School (Minneapolis)

Services We Provide:
Services and activities are FREE to participants. Participants can also earn a small monthly stipend (money) for engaging in our program activities.

Academic Year Program:
  • Academic and college planning
  • Tutoring
  • Weekly college access groups and individual meetings
  • Assistance with college, scholarship, and financial aid applications
  • College entrance exam preparation
  • College visits
  • Cultural and community service field trips
Summer Program:
  • Academic enrichment courses in English, Math, Science, and Foreign Language
  • Living in the dorms at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities
  • 5-day regional college tour
  • Community service and cultural activities
  • College and career preparation activities

Program Eligibility Requirements:
Before completing this application, applicants must plan to attend or currently attend one of the target high schools above. Please note that being eligible for the program does not guarantee acceptance into Upward Bound.
  • Be a 9th or 10th grade, some 11th graders may apply
  • Have a current grade point average of 2.5 or above
  • Be a first-generation college student (neither parents have a 4-year degree) and/or from an income-eligible family (students qualify for free or reduced lunch)
  • Have an academic need
  • A U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States

Application Checklist:
Please make sure each section of this application is complete before submitting it to Upward Bound. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Before submitting your application, check to verify that you completed the following sections:
1. Student Information
2. Parent/Guardian Information
3. Financial Verification 
4. 1 Letter of Recommendation from a Teacher
5. Copy of Current Transcript

Confidentiality:
Financial and other personal information requested is necessary to determine the student’s eligibility to participate in Upward Bound. Only authorized staff will see this information. All of the information is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Regulations (FERPA). However, the U.S. Department of Education does have the authority to gather general statistical information about program participants in order to improve and measure the success of the Upward Bound program.

If you have any questions as you are completing the application, please email Upward Bound at umdub@d.umn.edu
Personal Information
First Name *
Preferred First Name
Middle Name
Last Name *
Date of Birth *
Age *
Pronouns
School ID Number
Sex (Required only for reporting purposed to the US Dept of Ed)
Male
Female
Are you a US Citizen *
If you answered "No" to the question above, are you a Permanent Resident (have a valid Green Card)?
If you are a Permanent Resident, do you have a Green Card Number you can provide upon request?

Race/Ethnicity - Providing information in this section is voluntary and is asked in order to stay in compliance with the US Department of Education's standards for ethics and racial data collection. This information will not be used to make admissions decisions for the Upward Bound program.
Does the student identify as Hispanic or Latino?
What is the student's racial background?
Contact Information
Permanent Address (& Apartment #) *
City *
State *
Zip *
Phone Number *
Email Address *
Preferred Contact Method (Select All That Apply)
Text
Email
Phone Call
Academic Information
Current School *
Current Grade Level *
What is the name of your School Counselor
Current GPA (or best estimate)
Are you involved in any other college-access programs at your school (check all that apply)?
AVID
Talent Search
College Possible
GEAR UP
Other
No, I am not involved in another college-access program

Teacher Recommendation

All applicants are required to have a teacher recommendation support their application. How does it work? Write the name and email of a teacher or counselor who would write you a positive recommendation. We will email them a link to the recommendation form, or you can bring them a paper form that they can fill out and return to the UB advisor at your school. 
Teacher Name
Teacher Email
How do you want Upward Bound to help you in high school as you prepare for college (check all that apply)?
Support developing my academic and college goals
Support in taking more challenging classes (AP/IB/Honors/CIS) and successfully passing them
Help exploring different career pathway options
Support improving my English skills (speaking, reading, and/or writing)
Develop my confidence, self-esteem, and make friends with other UB students
Exploring career and academic pathways in math and/or science fields
Help preparing for college entrance exams (ACT/SAT) and/or applying to college
Access to 24/7 virtual tutoring support
How did you hear about Upward Bound?
Do you know of anyone else who would be interested in joining Upward Bound?
Upward Bound's 6-Week Summer Program is an important part of our program. Students have the opportunity to:

1. Stay overnight in the residence halls at the UMN-Twin Cities Campus, or attend as a day student (for Minneapolis students only).

2. Attending academic enrichment classes that are a part of the summer program.

3. Participating in college tours, service-learning trips, cohort retreats, and class trips.
Can you commit to participating in the TRIO Upward Bound Summer Program your FIRST TWO summers in the program?
Family Information
Primary Residence: With whom does the student live?
Language Spoken at home (check all that apply).
Amharic
Arabic
Dakhota
English
Hmong
Karen
Ojibwe
Oromo
Somali
Spanish
Other
Parent / Guardian 1 Information
Parent/Guardian 1's First Name *
Parent/Guardian 1's Last Name *
Parent/Guardian 1 Relationship to Student *
Can we communicate with Parent/Guardian 1 in English? *
If no, what is their preferred language?
Address (& Apartment #) *
City *
State *
ZIP *
Phone Number *
Email Address *
Highest Level of Education Completed? *
Where did they earn their degree(s)? Please list name of college(s), if applicable.
Is Parent/Guardian 1 Employed?
Employer
Job Title
Parent/Guardian 2
First Name
Last Name
Relationship to Student
Can we communicate with Parent/Guardian 2 in English?
If no, what is their preferred language?
Phone Number
Email Address
Highest Level of Education Completed?
Where did they earn their degree(s)? Please list name of college(s), if applicable.
Is Parent/Guardian 2 Employed?
Employer
Job Title
Please list the name, age, and relationship of everyone who lives in the same household as the student. For example "May Wilkes, 35, Guardian. Alex Smith , 11, Sibling" *

Family Financial Information

All Upward Bound services are completely FREE for all Upward Bound students; therefore, verification of income is required for all applicants. The information collected will be used to determine the applicant's eligibility for the Upward Bound program. Information received is confidential. Please note the the US Dept of Ed asks for taxable income, not adjusted gross income. 

Taxable income can be found on line 15 of your 2024 IRS 1040 tax return.

Please use the following table to answer the next question. If you are not sure how to complete this section, please contact Upward Bound at umdub@d.umd.edu, and we will be happy to provide support. 

Size of Family Unit  -  2024 Taxable Income

1 - $23,475

2 - 31,725

3 - $39,975

4 - $48,225

5 - $56,475

6 - $64,725

7 - $72,975

8 - $81,225

More than 8 - Add $5,500 fore each additional member
Based on your family's 2024 taxable income, please select one fo the following options: *
If you selected "We did not file a 2024 income tax return," what was your family's approximate income in 2024?
If your family's financial situation has changed recently for the worse because of a serious illness, diability, death, separation, or loss of job/benefits, please explain in the space below
Does your family live in federally supported or low-income house? *
Are any members of your family on state or federal welfare support programs? *
Does your family qualitfy for free or reduced lunch program? *
Is th student a foster child or ward of the court? *
I, the undersigned, verify that this financial information is true and accurate.
Parent/Guardian Signature *
Signature Type: Simple    Start Over
Signature: (Type in your full name)
I agree to the terms included.
Parent/Guardian Permission to Release Information to the Upward Bound Program

Duluth/Minneapolis Public Schools has my permission to release high school transcripts, grade point averages, class schedules, and test scores to the University of Minnesota Duluth's Upward Bound program. This release is valid from the date of signature until my student learns of their admission into the program. I understand that this release may be revoked at any time in writing. 

I understand that this information will be used in determining admission to the Upward Bound program, and in planning my student's academic program and supports if admitted into Upward Bound.
Student's Full Name
Parent/Guardian Full Name
Parent/Guardian Signature
Signature Type: Simple    Start Over
Signature: (Type in your full name)
I agree to the terms included.
Permission for Upward Bound to Release Information to Other Schools or Agencies

The University of Minnesota Duluth's Upward Bound program has my permission to give information regarding my student to the following schools and agencies:

 1. Duluth/Minneapolis Public Schools
 2. The United States Department of Education

I understand that the policy of the Upward Bound program is to release only that information about a student which, in the judgement of the staff, is considered essential in order to grant high school credit for work done in Upward Bound, to allow the US Department of Education to evaluate program effectiveness, or to assist students in securing assistance from other educational agencies.
Student's Full Name
Parent's Signature
Signature Type: Simple    Start Over
Signature: (Type in your full name)
I agree to the terms included.