What is Upward Bound?

Upward Bound is a federally funded program, sponsored by the United States Department of Education. It is designed to help high school students prepare for college.

Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their pre-college performance and ultimately, in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves high school students from low-income families along with high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree.

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

What services are offered?

The Upward Bound Program offers the following services and activities:

• Instruction in reading, writing, study skills, and other subjects necessary for success in education beyond high school
• Academic, financial, and personal counseling
• Exposure to academic programs and cultural events
• Tutorial and mentoring services
• Information on postsecondary education opportunities
• Assistance in completing college admissions and financial aid applications
• Assistance with college placement tests
• Participate in a six-week summer enrichment program or a math & science summer program
• Take part in recreational activities (swimming, baseball, basketball, table tennis, volleyball, etc.)
• Partake in career exploration activities (mentoring, guest speakers, workshops, and business tours)
• Attend seminars (college information and orientation, study skills development, drug awareness and prevention)
• Go on field trips (take occasional on-island field trips that will strengthen the academic content of the courses taken during the summer/academic year.)
• Be involved in cultural awareness activities (cultural understanding, appreciation and awareness, field trips, guest speakers, workshops, training in local arts and crafts.

Upward Bound Alumni Testimonials

From Marianas High School to the University of Arizona: "I could not have done it by myself. I had the Upward Bound to thank for the educational support that motivated me to pursue higher education..." (Click here to read complete text.) One day I decided I wanted to go to college. This was my ultimatum and my mantra, which kept me going without turning back. I graduated from Marianas High School in 2006. I traded my senior year to jump-start my college career at Northern Marianas College. Within two years I graduated in 2008, with my AA in Liberal Arts, and continued on my educational marathon at The University of Arizona, where I finished within three years with my Bachelor’s of Science in Microbiology. It took me five years to officially graduate but every penny and every time that I invested in discovering myself and my interest in life was well worth it. I could not have done it by myself though. I had The Upward Bound Program (UBP) to thank for the educational support that motivated me to pursue higher education. Since I was a sophomore in high school, UBP gave me the opportunity to take college courses while still in high school. As a first generation, low income student this was the most beneficial opportunity given to me and especially my family. Today I continue to create paths no one has taken before. To me, it’s just more exciting to take a unique and unexpected journey. Testing how far I will go, I am confident I will eventually achieve my goals. Since graduating I have decided to go through the pre-medical route. I am currently shadowing various doctors at The Commonwealth Health Care Corporation on Saipan. By doing so, I intend to gain some valuable insight in medicine and health care to one day serve as a physician to my island community. In addition, I continue to volunteer with UBP in hopes of inspiring students to start their journey to the future and to never give up no matter how far the finish line may be.

On her way to the top: "Being surrounded by people in Upward Bound who want you to success is an uplifting environment that pushed me to do more than I thought I could. Thank you Upward Bound..." (Click here to read complete text.) My name is Angelica A. Co and I am an Upward Bound alumnus, class of 2007. I am so thankful to have been a part of the Upward Bound program. Upward Bound gave me the opportunity to take several college courses while I was still in high school which helped me knock out my general education requirements for college. UB also had many resources, such as refined tutors and counselors and computer labs that guided and helped me become a more efficient student. In April 2011, I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Biology at Brigham Young University Hawaii. I currently work full-time in a drug development research company located in Honolulu, Hawaii. I plan on furthering my education to get a Master's Degree in Physician Assistance after getting more experience in the health and research field. Upward Bound provided me the tools to succeed in Saipan and prepared me for the challenges of college. Being surrounded by people in Upward Bound who want you to succeed is an uplifting environment that pushed me to do more than I thought I could. Thank you Upward Bound!

Who is eligible?

• Be a citizen of the United States or a citizen of the Freely Associated States: the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Belau
• Be from a low-income family, as determined by guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education, or be a dependent in a family where neither of the student's parents has completed a four-year college degree
• Students must have completed the 8th grade, be between the ages of 13 and 19, and have a need for academic support in order to pursue a program of postsecondary education
• Have the interest and potential to succeed in college but need academic enrichment to prepare for college
• Have a history of maintaining good behavior
• Must attend one of the following five target public high schools:

Kagman High School
Marianas High School
Rota High School
Saipan Southern High School
Tinian Junior/Senior High School

For more information about the Upward Bound Program contact your high school counselor, or contact the Upward Bound Program at the Northern Marianas College (see contact information below).

How To Apply:

The Upward Bound program application will not be available until May 2012. The next deadline to apply is in September 2012. For inquiries or additional information, contact the Upward Bound program at the telephone numbers and emails listed below.

Upward Bound Contact Information:

UBP Saipan

UBP Tinian

UBP Rota

Frank Norita, Student Activities Coordinator
Phone: 532-0267
Email: frankn@nmcnet.edu