Students
who participate in Upward Bound are more likely to graduate from college than
students from similar backgrounds who don't participate in Upward Bound.
Of
all students who go to college, only about 65% graduate!
Yep - even if you make
it to college, there's no guarantee you'll get that important degree. For
students who are from lower income homes and/or whose parents don't have a
college degree ("first generation" students) the percentages are
lower - even for "high achieving" students!
Upward
Bound students are encouraged and supported to take tough college-prep classes,
including four years of math, science, language arts, social studies and world
language when possible. (Taking and passing high level math classes is a good
predictor of college success.)
Upward
Bound also makes sure students know about important college-prep steps and
events like visiting colleges, preparing for and taking the PSAT, volunteering
and networking to explore career options, keeping a student résumé, preparing a
strong college application, applying for scholarships and financial aid in a
timely manner, and more. Upward Bound's summer "practice college"
helps students understand the skills and behaviors they need to develop to be
good college students.
Upward
Bound students earn money for participation.
Stipends are given for full participation at regular Upward Bound tutoring
sessions and Saturday events during the academic year. In summer, Upward Bound
students earn a weekly stipend. Selected students may also be eligible for
Upward Bound's work-study program where they explore a career that
interests them and earn a stipend. Over a four-year period, a student who
participates fully in an Upward Bound program can earn more than $1,000 in
stipends!
Upward
Bound students meet new friends.
Upward Bound
at MSOE serves students from three Milwaukee high schools. When you join Upward
Bound you'll meet students from those schools who are working on the same
college goals.
