ETSU Upward Bound is a federally funded college access program that is part of the TRIO Programs. We currently assist students attending one of 12 local schools within our target area. Our services including: on campus events, summer camp programs, and cultural trips - with meals and other accommodations during these times provided completely free. While we have been part of ETSU and our school systems since 1983, we do not recruit students for ETSU and our goal is to help students find the college or university that is the best fit for them.
Students interested in joining ETSU Upward Bound will need to attend one of our targeted schools, meet eligibility requirements, and submit an application for review. Following a review of eligiblity and a selection process students will be notified if they have been accepted to the program or not by mail.
Upward Bound is NOW accepting applications for 2024-2025!
Who is eligible?
9th and 10th grade students who attend one of the following high schools in the local area:
- Cloudland High School
- Dobyns-Bennett High School
- Dobyns-Bennett Excel
- Elizabethton High School
- Hampton High School
- Happy Valley High School
- Johnson County High School
- Science Hill High School
- Sullivan East High Schooll
- Tennessee High School
- Unaka High School
- Unicoi County High School
- West Ridge High School
-AND-
- Students must meet one of the following criteria:
- Family household income MUST meet federal guidelines and/or
- neither parent has earned a Bachelor's Degree from a college or university.
Ready to Apply?
Students interested in applying to ETSU Upward Bound can begin the application process below for the online application, or you can learn more about how to access a paper application and pick one up from us at a school visit or contact us to request one be sent to you.
Please note that we ask for some tax documents as part of our process, however all documents will be kept confidential.
Also, applicants will be asked to submit contact information for a teacher recommendation.
Your teacher will recieve an email from us to complete the recommendation.
APPLY BELOW
-
Online Application
Upward Bound is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 year.
To complete online application please follow link: Application
-
Paper Application
Paper applications will be given out at school visits and must be returned to the school or the an ETSU Upward Bound staff. If you would like a paper application please contact our office at 423-439-5619or email upwardbound@etsu.edu
Paper application avaliability at each school (please turn applications in to your school counselor or the UB Staff person once completed):
- Dates and Events TBA
More presentations and information about accessing applications coming soon.
AFTER YOU APPLY
Applications for Upward Bound are considered complete when you have submitted the following items:
- Completed Application
- Submitted Tax Documentation (if required)
- Teacher Recommendation
After your application has been returned, you will be interviewed by an Upward Bound representative.
Once program admission decisions are made, a letter will be sent to your home informing you of your status with the program and will outline the next steps.
If you need any further assistance with the application or would like to request a paper application please contact us at 423-439-5619 or email us at upwardbound@etsu.edu