Saint Francis University Upward Bound

Program Description

A federal TRIO Program funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Upward Bound has prepared over 2,500 qualifying students for the challenges of college. Each year the program provides services to 110 students. Originally funded in 1966, Saint Francis' Upward Bound Program is one of the oldest Upward Bounds in the U.S. and is the oldest continuously-funded Upward Bound in Pennsylvania.

Provided at no cost to participants, the program offers a wide variety of academic, career, cultural, and social development activities. From September through May students participate in Saturday follow-ups held on Saint Francis' campus and tutorials held after school in their communities. Additional academic year activities include college visits, SAT cram sessions, FAFSA completion nights, and college fairs. In addition to SAT and college application fee waivers, the staff provides students with assistance completing their college and scholarship applications. Each summer participants live on the Saint Francis University campus for six weeks, attending academic classes in math, lab sciences, literature, foreign languages, and social sciences. The program also sponsors tutorials, a work-study component, volunteer opportunities, and cultural activities during the summer.

Demographics

Education Level and
Number of Students

• High School: 110
• Middle School: 0
• Elementary School: 0
• Post-secondary: 0
• Non-traditional: 0

Populations Served

• Academically At-risk
• Academically High-performing
• ESL Students

First-Generation

• Between 50% and 75%

Representative
Colleges Attended
by Alumni

• Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Matriculation & Completion

• 4-yr College Matriculation: 93%
• 4-yr College Graduation: 76%