UMASS Amherst Upward Bound

Upward Bound program is a year-round, federally sponsored, educational program serving high school students from Springfield, MA.

Students are eligible to participate if they are from families in which neither parent has a bachelor's degree, and/or if they qualify as low-income. Upward Bound's goal is to increase the rate at which participants successfully complete high school, and enroll in and graduate from college.

Upward Bound promotes equity and access to a college education based off students individual passions, capacities and strengths. During the academic year, participants are provided a variety of services ranging from individual tutoring, career advising, SAT and MCAS prep, to college-positive workshops, cultural enrichment and much more. In addition, the program addresses other issues critical to success in high school and college such as time management, goal setting, self-knowledge and an awareness of college pathways. Most of all, Upward Bound is a college-based place where students belong to and are valued as part of a college going community.