Prepare for college

35-year history of serving San Antonio students

Upward Bound programs provide fundamental support to their participants in preparation for college. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege coursework in high school and ultimately in their higher education pursuits.

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Our Mission

Upward Bound serves high school students from low-income families and high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. 52% of our participants go on to receive bachelor's degrees, exceeding the national averages in that only 32.5% of adults over age 25 in the U.S. have a bachelor's degree.

Upward Bound was established with the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 as an original War on Poverty initiative. It is one of seven TRIO Programs established to assist students in overcoming class, social, academic and cultural barriers to higher education.

For more information on Upward Bound history across the nation, visit the TRIO Programs' website.

The Trinity University Upward Bound program does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender or disability in its selection of participants. (Department of Education's General Education Provision - GEPA Section 427).

Faculty

Alejandra De Hoyos
Director
Director Upward Bound
Eliana De Los Santos
Academic Tutor, Upward Bound
Jada Gonzalez
Academic Advisor (NE)
Daniela Leal
Academic Tutor
Jeffrey Martinez
Upward Bound Instructor
Gabriella Ortiz
Assistant Director Upward Bound
Roman Pineda
Upward Bound Instructor
Adam Rinaldi
Academic Tutor
Olivia Rodriguez
Academic Tutor, Upward Bound
Vanessa Sanchez
Upward Bound Instructor
Jagger Slocume
Academic Tutor

 

Examples of Excelencia

Trinity's Upward Bound program was recognized as a 2018 Examples of Excelencia finalist.

 

10x more likely to receive a Bachelors

Trinity Upward Bound graduates are ten times more likely to have a bachelor's degree than adults over the age of 25 living within their community.

 

Program Cost: $0

All Upward Bound services are free of charge to participants through funding from the U.S. Department of Education.

 

Get prepared for College

The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which their participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.

Eligibility

Participants must meet the following criteria:

 
Low income based

Qualify as low income according to federal guidelines or potential first-generation college students with neither parent having earned a four year bachelor's degree.

U.S. Citizenship

Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident

Enrolled in a San Antonio High School

Be an student at Harlandale, McCollum, Memorial, or Kennedy High Schools.

Need-Based

Demonstrate academic need for program services.

Committed to excellence

Have the willingness and ability to make the time commitment to participate fully in all that Upward Bound offers from the time of acceptance through high school graduation.

Program Sequence

Icon:icon-arrow-right Trinity icon set
Icon:icon-arrow-right Trinity icon set
Six weeks of college preparatory

All members of the Upward Bound community are expected to attend.

The summer component offers participants the opportunity to receive further academic enrichment while experiencing the expectations and demands of a college environment. The summer component is a vital part of the Upward Bound experience. 

Academic Courses

During the summer component, students participate in a series of academic courses on the Trinity University campus:

  • Creative Writing
  • Literature
  • Mathematics
  • Foreign Language
  • Physics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
Daily Tutorials and ACT Preparation

Students also receive daily tutorial, ACT preparation and have an opportunity to enroll in a series of elective courses.

Meet with an Adviser

Start planning out your academic, career, and college goals

In the academic year component, students meet with Upward Bound (UB) advisers at their respective high schools. Advisers help students develop individual educational plans to assist students in meeting academic, career, and college goals. Advisers also provide personal counseling and assistance with college application and financial aid processes. 

Courses

Upward Bound courses are limited to twenty students. As such, teachers can readily identify students' academic and personal strengths in order to better assist students in reaching their full potential.

Spend additional time on Trinity's Campus

Additionally, participants spend two Saturdays a month on the Trinity campus. Through the Saturday sessions, students attend tutorial, two academic classes, and a college seminar course. Upward Bound classes reinforce the high school curriculum and strengthen academic skills to ensure college readiness. Participants are enrolled in Saturday courses on the basis of grade level, standardized test scores, and current high school course placement.

Campus privileges: 

  • Access to University library services
  • Access to University technology laboratories
  • Access to University recreation facilities
  • Access to University lectures and events

How to Apply

  1. Complete Application Packet (PDF) which includes:
    • Application
    • Affidavit
    • Questions
    • Two Teacher Recommendations:
      You need to get one recommendation from two of the following: Math, English, Social Studies and Science. Teachers completing the recommendations can be this year's or from a previous year
  2. Attach a copy of your parents' most recently filed income tax form (1040A, 1040EZ, 1040)
  3. Return Application Packet (application and income tax information) to the Upward Bound Adviser at your school.
  4. Interviews will be scheduled upon receipt of application packet if it is complete and student qualifies for the Program. All students will be notified of their status regardless.

 

Ready to take the next step?

Fill out the application packet, or contact the Upward Bound office by email at @email or 210-999-7590 to discuss your interest in the program and receive an application.