How many students know where they want to go and what they want to do in college? How many know exactly how they will pay for college? The amount of students who do not know how they will pay for college might surprise you. Upward Bound is a program that helps students find ways to pay for college and succeed in life.

Upward Bound is available to students with low income families or that will be first generation of college graduates in their family. The goal of Upward Bound is to help students to be successful in college and with their lives by guidance, providing career exploration, on-campus tours, building of friendships, and financial planning for college.

The effects Upward Bound has on a high school student is incredible. Not only does Upward Bound allow students to see their full potential, but it also provides opportunities they may not have had on their own.

Vada Burri, a senior participating in Upward Bound, has been in the group since the eighth grade. Upward Bound has helped her see what college life is like and has helped her decide on which college she would like to attend. She recommends that students join Upward Bound because it helps to meet new people and experience things and places the student may not have had before. In Vada’s words, “Join Upward Bound because there is good food at the lunch meetings.”

Tearza Mashburn is the sponsor for the Upward Bound group in Alliance High School. Through the years, she has been able to see the students she has worked with grow and become self reliant. She recommends that students join Upward Bound because between college visits and helping students find their a passion, Upward Bound is a great program that can better the students future. In her own words, “If used properly, Upward Bound is a wonderful resource to help guide and educate students towards future plans.”

Upward Bound is a program that can help students achieve better goals in their future school years, and life.