Our Mission:
University of Cincinnati Upward Bound provides academic skills and motivation for eligible students to graduate high school, enroll in and graduate from post-secondary education.
Our Vision:
To foster academic achievement, cultural exposure and life success for all eligible students.
Program Description:
Upward Bound motivates and provides academic skills for eligible students interested in education beyond high school. Please join us today and receive access to our FREE services:
High School Academic Instruction and Tutoring
Academic Enrichment, Advising and Mentoring
ACT Test Prep
College and University Life Prep and Social Skills Development
Financial Aid Counseling
Financial Literacy
Free Food and Recreation While on Campus and Other Activities
Workshops and Seminars
Career and Cultural Development and Enrichment
College and Career Tours
Student Leadership Conference
Stipends and Work-Study (Stipends are awarded per semester for participation in events and activities)
Three to Six Weeks College Dorm Stay During the Summer (Space is limited to 60-65 students and priority is given to students who have participated during the school year)
Three Credit Hours University of Cincinnati College Class for Summer Bridge Students (those that have graduated from high school)
How To become A Part of Our Upward Bound Community:
· The applicant must provide a transcript of his/her high school grades and standardized test scores (or 8th grade transcript if entering the 9th grade). Students’ school counselors may provide such documentation upon request.
· The applicant must be an excellent school citizen with a good attendance record.
· The applicant must meet Federal Low-Income Guidelines, OR be a “First Generation student which means that the parent(s) living in the student’s household does/do not have a Bachelor’s degree OR have scores below the national average in math OR English testing.
For Additional Information Contact:
Mr. Orville McDonald, Program Director, orville.Mcdonald@uc.edu,(513) 652-9912
Ms. Denise Hewitt, Community Engagement Coordinator, denise.hewitt@uc.edu, (513) 608-6610
Ms. Ronda Tuggle, Bound Life Specialist, tugglerl@ucmail.uc.edu, (513) 501-0393
Mr. Eric Stirling, Bound Life Specialist, stirliae@ucmail.uc.edu, (513) 952-2097
How To Apply:
Obtain an application by contacting one of our staff, emailing the Upward Bound Office @ upward.bound @uc.edu or referring to the Upward Bound website, uc.edu/upward.bound. Submit the completed application form and all necessary documents (income verification, grade transcript, medical evaluation, etc.) to the Upward Bound Office. You may also have the school counselor or teacher contact, Denise Hewitt for pick-up of the completed application.
Federal Low-Income Levels (Effective January 12, 2024 until further notice)
Size of Family Unit | 48 Contiguous States, D.C., and Outlying Jurisdictions | Alaska | Hawaii |
1 | $22,590 | $28,215 | $25,965 |
2 | $30,660 | $38,310 | $35,250 |
3 | $38,730 | $48,405 | $44,535 |
4 | $46,800 | $58,500 | $53,820 |
5 | $54,870 | $68,595 | $63,105 |
6 | $62,940 | $78,690 | $72,390 |
7 | $71,010 | $88,785 | $81,675 |
8 | $79,080 | $98,880 | $90,960 |
For family units with more than eight members, add the following amount for each additional family member: $8,070 for the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia and outlying jurisdictions; $10,095 for Alaska; and $9,285 for Hawaii.
The term "low-income individual" means an individual whose family's taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level amount.
The figures shown under family income represent amounts equal to 150 percent of the family income levels established by the Census Bureau for determining poverty status. The poverty guidelines were published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Federal Register on January, 2024 and are effective as of Januar, 2024.
Denise Hewitt, Community Engagement Coordinator
(513)608-6610