The University of Nevada, Reno's Upward Bound programs are now accepting new applications from high school students for the 2014-2015 school year. Upward Bound serves high school students in the Washoe and Lyon County School Districts to provide comprehensive college preparation services. It provides students and their families the skills, knowledge and support necessary to succeed in postsecondary education.

“The Upward Bound programs are vitally important to northern Nevada because they form a strong educational pipeline to college for first-generation, low-income high school students,” Ellen Houston, director of Upward Bound, said. 

The programs guide students and their families to ensure they have the resources and skills necessary to succeed in high school and be prepared for higher education. Students who are part of the programs have access to tutoring services, must attend bimonthly college-prep Saturday sessions and receive bimonthly, in-school academic advising from Upward Bound counselors. Upward Bound participants also have the opportunity to apply to attend a residential Summer Academy at the University of Nevada, Reno, or the Upward Bound Math Science Summer Programs the University of California at Berkeley and the University of California at Santa Cruz. Students who complete all requirements of the programs are eligible to participate in fully paid tours of colleges and universities in Nevada, as well as outside the state. 

“We have three grants serving two schools each, allowing us to serve a total of 186 students each project year,” Houston said. “The grants allow us to provide intensive college preparatory services to six target high schools.”

The six target high schools include North Valleys High School and Hug High School which are served by the Washoe Grant, Spanish Springs High School and Sparks High School which are served by the Truckee Grant and Fernley High School and Silver Stage High School which are served by the Northwest Grant. The grants fully cover all programs costs for the students who are accepted into the programs.

“Increasing Nevada’s high school graduation rate, college matriculation rate and college graduation rate are top priorities for the University and Nevada K-12 education,” Houston said. “Students who are part of Upward Bound are more likely to enroll in higher education and graduate with a college degree. The intensive college preparatory services provided by these programs play an integral role in achieving those goals.”

To be eligible to apply for the programs, students must be between the ages of 14 and 18-years-old and be attending one of the six target schools in fall 2014. The programs are for first-generation or low income students, where neither parent has a four-year-college degree.

“Upward Bound helps students and families succeed in the educational system which can be so complex and scary for first-generation college students,” Maria Sandra Jimenez, assistant director of the Upward Bound Programs, said.

Students can also continue this support after high school with the University’s Trio Scholars Program for undergraduate students and the McNair Scholars Program which prepares junior and senior students for graduate school.

Upward Bound will continue to accept applications through Friday, April 30. For more information and to apply to the Upward Bound Programs, visit http://www.unr.edu/upward-bound/eligibility/how-to-apply.