1. ARE YOU at least 13 years old but not older than 19? If yes, continue to 2. If no, you are probably not eligible at this time*.
2. DO YOU attend middle or high school in La Crosse OR Monroe county in Wisconsin? If yes, continue to 3. If no, you are probably not eligible at this time*.
3. ARE YOU CURRENTLY in grade 8 (applicants), 9, 10 or 11? If yes, continue to 4. If no, you are probably not eligible at this time*.
4. Do your parents (or the parent you live with) have a four year college degree (bachelor's degree or higher)? If yes, go to 5. If no, you are probably eligible for UB! Please apply now!
5. Is your family's taxable income above the level for your family size shown in the Income Eligibility Chart below. If yes, you are probably not eligible. If no, you are probably eligible for UB! Please apply now!
*If you live in our target area but are younger than 13 and/or not yet in eighth grade, check back during spring of your eighth grade year!
If you think you are eligible or aren't sure, please complete an application!.
The application includes a Student Application which asks about your current academic and outside interests as well as your future career and education plans. We also request a four to five paragraph autobiographical statement.
There is also a Parent Application which asks about family size and income, parent education level and medical information. We also ask your parents to tell us a little about what they see as your strengths and weaknesses and what their hopes for your future are.
And, there is a School Recommendation section to be completed by your guidance counselor or a teacher who knows you. We ask for your current and past year transcripts, standardized test scores and rank in class.
When we get your completed application, we will look to see if your current performance and future plans and goals look like a good match for UB. We expect applicants to have at least a 2.00 grade point average and be taking or commit to take a full load of college prep classes. After reviewing your application we will contact you to schedule an interview or to let you know we will not consider you for the program.
A staff person will come to your home to interview you and your parents. At this time we will let you know exactly what Upward Bound expects of participants and you can ask questions to see if you are really interested. Following the interview, we'll let you know if you have been accepted or not. As of January 24, 2013 until further notice.
Income Eligibility
(number of total exemptions on
line 6)
from 2012 federal tax return
Taxable income
- line 43 of federal form 1040
or line 27 of federal form 1040A for 2012 tax year.
Upward Bound Eligibility is DIFFERENT than School Lunch Program Eligibility!
College Preparatory Classes
These are the minimum courses recommended for acceptance into
college - most successful applicants take four years of language arts, math,
science and social studies plus at least two years of one foreign language and
other courses in the arts and computers. For good advice and more information about preparing for college, go to the UW System
"Gearing Up For College"
brochure online.
Language Arts At least 4 credits of English, speech, oral communication, literature and other
college preparatory language arts classes.
Mathematics At least 3 credits including algebra 1, geometry and algebra 2 (pre-calculus and calculus are strongly recommended.)
Natural Science At least 3 credits including mostly lab science college prep classes like biology, chemistry and physics.
Social Science At least 3 years including history. Economics, psychology, geography and civics are also good choices.
Other You also need four more courses from the above areas (English, social science, mathematics, natural science), foreign language, fine arts, computer science and other areas. Having
two years of a single foreign language is strongly advised and is required at some UW System universities.
Last updated May 2, 2013.