Am I a good fit for Upward Bound?
Are you motivated to attend college after high school? Do you need additional support to achieve your college-going goals? Do you take school, and responsibilities, seriously? Are you willing to invest some Saturdays and summer time in improving your skills? If so, then yes!
Do I qualify?
Upward Bound services are free for all who meet the following criteria:
- U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident
- Completed eighth grade; between 13–19 at the time of admission
- Currently enrolled, or will enroll, in an East Baton Rouge or Terrebonne Parish high school
- Minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA on a regular curriculum track
- Aspire to pursue a college degree or need academic support
- First-generation college-bound student (guardian did not graduate with a four-year degree) or from a low-income household according to these guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education:
2022 Upward Bound Current-Year Low-Income Levels
| Size of Family Unit* | Income Levels* |
|---|---|
| 1 | $20,385 |
| 2 | $27,465 |
| 3 | $34,545 |
| 4 | $41,625 |
| 5 | $48,705 |
| 6 | $55,785 |
| 7 | $62,865 |
| 8 | $69,945 |
* For family units with more than eight members, add the following amount for each
additional family member: $7,080
* 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.
* Effective January 12, 2022 until further notice
Frequently Asked Questions
LSU's Upward Bound program accepts applications throughout the school year. Although we may place students on a brief waiting list until a spot becomes available or until the next cycle of classes begins, we are always happy to receive new applicants and address any questions they may have.
After we receive your application and confirm your eligibility, we will schedule an interview to discuss expectations and review the required documentation. Don't worry—these interviews are an opportunity for us to get to know each other!
Eligibility is determined by several factors. If your family's income exceeds the program's income guidelines, you may still be eligible based on other criteria.
Students in foster care automatically meet the income guideline due to their court ward status.
Two major admission periods occur every year: Sep 1–Jan 31 for the current academic year and Feb 1–May 31 for the following academic year. We typically do not admit during Summer due to the compressed schedule.
Participating in LSU's Upward Bound program and working at the same time is possible, as long as it does not significantly interfere with required activities and attendance. You will need to speak up and ensure that your work schedule does not conflict with any Upward Bound activities.
We highly encourage students to participate in extracurricular activities in their high schools, such as sports, clubs, drama, or band. While we emphasize the importance of committing to the Upward Bound program, we also recognize the value of other extracurricular activities. If you have matches, competitions, or performances that conflict with a UB activity, we will work with you to find a solution.
If you need to take a break from attending Upward Bound for personal reasons, we are here to assist you with any necessary accommodations until you can resume your normal activities. Remember, you are still considered an Upward Bound scholar until you officially withdraw from the program in writing or are dismissed. Our goal is to support your success, and we encourage you to stay enrolled in Upward Bound until you graduate from high school.
If you're ready to apply, complete and submit this application today.
Didn't find the answer to your questions?
You are welcome to fill out a Contact Form and an LSU Upward Bound team member will be glad to answer your questions.