Upward Bound Program

UC’s year-long Upward Bound program serves more than 100 students in grades 9-12 each year who attend Cincinnati Public and Princeton schools. To enroll in Upward Bound, students are either from low-income backgrounds or they are potentially first generation college students – most are the first in their families to attend college.

“Many of our students tell us Upward Bound helped them get their college degree, pointed them in the right direction and helped them prepare themselves for what they needed to do,” says Philip Cathey, Program Director, who adds that 50 percent of his students remain at UC for their college education.

Participation in Upward Bound requires discipline and family involvement. During the academic year, students must come to campus at least one night a week for tutoring and academic counseling. They attend Saturday classes at UC to receive instruction on subjects such as reading, math and science, as well as academic and career counseling. Phillip Cathey says students who are interested in enrolling in the program must go through a probation period to determine if they’re serious about their academic success. Cathey also meets with the parents of the students four times a year to bring them up to date on their child’s progress.

UC’s six-week summer Upward Bound program enables students to stay in college dorms, hold part-time jobs and undergo intensive study in a variety of subjects designed to enhance their skills and prepare them for success in college.. Students take college tours and attend social events, including the Upward Bound Olympics, a statewide competition of students in Upward Bound programs.

Upward Bound high school graduates, called Bridge students, are eligible to enroll in UC’s Upward Bound bridge program. Bridge students can take up to six credit-hours of UC college courses over the summer which they can transfer to the college of their choice. While attending classes in the summer, students receive tuition, room and board, books, academic guidance, recreation, cultural exposure, and travel.

The University of Cincinnati has one of the oldest Upward Bound programs in the country, dating back to 1968.Students interested in applying for Upward Bound can get an application from their high school counselors.

Upward Bound Summer Graduates of 2006

Record funding was awarded to the UC Upward Bound program for 2008-2012 by the US Department of Education. For the announcement click here.

For additional information contact:

Phone - (513) 556-1626
Upward.bound@uc.edu