Upward Bound is a program designed to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds find success in high school and to go on to enroll and graduate from a program of post-secondary education. Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. It is a rewarding commitment that spans three years of high school.

Program began in 1965 as the first TRiO program and is funded by the U.S. Department of Education under the Higher Education Act. Dixie State College has hosted the program since 1983 with 80-100 participants per year.

Participants

Qualifying sophomore students are selected from the following high schools: Valley, Kanab, Pine View, Enterprise, Snow Canyon, Hurricane & Dixie. The current Federal Grant is funded to serve a total of 80 students per year (10th - 12th grades). 2/3 of participants qualify under federal guidelines as coming from both low income & first generation homes, meaning that neither parent has graduated with a bachelors degree. The remaining 1/3 must be either low-income or first-generation. Students must demonstrate the ability to succeed academically and socially in a post-secondary setting.

The program is designed for participants to meet weekly with a coordinator at their own high school where they receive instruction and tutoring in order to become better students. Instructional areas include test taking, time management, communications skills and career planning. Participants also receive individual college advisement, assistance with college admissions and financial aid counseling. Four times per year, the students come to the Dixie State College campus for cultural and educational seminars.

Sixty students are selected to attend the summer component based upon a combination of participation and academic improvement. The remaining twenty students are invited to remain in the program and try to qualify for the summer component the following school year. Students participate in an intensive six week program where they live in Nisson Towers from Sunday night to Friday afternoon. They attend college classes and participate in cultural, educational and service learning activities. Federal regulations require that the courses offered must include English, math, science, computer skills and foreign language.