Apply to Upward Bound Program

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT UB?

• UC Irvine UB Interest Form (please complete if you would like us to contact you)
• Recruitment Video
• UCI Upward Bound Flyer 2024-25 (English)
• UCI Upward Bound Flyer 2024-25 (Spanish)
• Apply Today via Application Form!

1. Attend Information Session

**Attention Prospective Students/Parents – due to the Coronavirus closures, restrictions, and continuous changes/updates, if you are interested in learning more about UCI Upward Bound, please contact us (kbalderr@uci.edu) to schedule a virtual presentation in either English or Spanish. UB Staff will follow-up with you as soon as she is available.

In-Person Information Sessions will be scheduled across all three high schools as soon as we know the protocols for on-campus presentations. These might also take place during class time depending on instructor. Information Sessions will review Upward Bound activities as well as the application process. Parents are encouraged to attend as we will review the documents listed below which are necessary for UB staff to collect. Once we have received your completed online application, we will follow-up with you regarding remaining paperwork. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact: Kimberly Balderrama: 949-824-9145, kbalderr@uci.edu (English), OR Brandon Ruiz: 949-414-8782, bruiz7@uci.edu (Spanish).

If you know for certain you would like to join UCI Upward Bound, please be sure to complete the UB Application by clicking here, so we can contact you regarding all paperwork to be collected.

We look forward to hearing from you!!

2. Know Your Eligibility

Prospective Students must:

1. Be a graduating 8th grader who will be attending either Anaheim, Katella, or Loara High School in the Anaheim Union School District; OR a current 9th or 10th grader who is attending either Anaheim, Katella, or Loara High School in the Anaheim Union School District
2. Be a U.S. citizen or a Permanent Resident
3. Have a minimum 2.00 overall GPA and be recommended by a teacher or counselor
4. Be planning to attend college after graduating form high school

Prospective Students must also fulfill one of the following:

Family Income Eligibility

To be financially eligible, prospective students must meet the federal family income guideline established by the U.S. Department of Education (federal family income guideline are subject to change)

SIZE OF FAMILY UNIT	FAMILY INCOME
1	$21,870
2	$29,580
3	$37,290
4	$45,000
5	$52,710
6	$60,420
7	$68,130
8	$75,840

* For family units with more than eight members, add the following amount for each additional family member: $7,710 for the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia and outlying jurisdictions; $9,645 for Alaska; and $8,865 for Hawaii.
* The term “low-income individual” means an individual whose family’s taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level amount.
* The figures shown under family income represent amounts equal to 150 percent of the family income levels established by the Census Bureau for determining poverty status. The poverty guidelines were published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Federal Register on January 19, 2023 and are effective January 19, 2023.

Family Educational Background

Potential first generation college student means:(1) An individual neither of whose natural or adoptive parents received a baccalaureate degree – OR –(2) A student who, prior to the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one natural or adoptive parent and whose supporting parent did not receive a baccalaureate degree.

3. Complete Program Application

Please following the steps carefully:

#1 – Create a Gmail Account

If you already use Gmail, you may use your existing account. However, the program recommends that students use email addresses that look professional so that it can be used when applying to colleges and scholarships in the future.

A professional email address is usually a combination of the students First, Last, and Middle Initials. For example, a professional looking email address for a student named “Joe A. Student” could be:-

Tip: If you have to use numbers in your email address, try to avoid using your birthday, year of birth, or graduation year.

#2 – Complete the Upward Bound New Student ONLINE application via Google Forms.

– The applications will be accepted through April 2024

#3 – Write a Personal Statement and email it to: UCIUpwardBound200@gmail.com through your Gmail Account.

DON’T STRESS OUT! The purpose of the personal statement is not to test or evaluate your writing ability. Your writing ability will not factor into our decision to accept you into the program. The purpose of the personal statement is to give you the chance to tell us more about yourself to help us determine if you can benefit from Upward Bound services. There is no minimum or maximum length for the paper. Just tell us about yourself using your own words.Instructions for Personal Statement

4. Orientation Meeting/Student Interview

Due to constant COVID changes, the Orientation Meeting is now more inline with the Information Sessions. Parents are encouraged to attend the student interview, if possible, especially if they were unable to attend the Information Session. UB Staff will gladly review UB expectations, missing documents, as well as answer any questions parents may have. During the interview, UB staff will discuss following documents:

* A copy of your Transcript *

You can download from Aeries or get one from your school counselor.

* Parent/Legal Guardian’s most recent Income Tax Form *

(IRS Tax Form 1040 or 1040 EZ)If parent/guardian does not file income tax, please provide a letter describing the family’s financial situation and source(s) of income, such as:

• Social Security
• Welfare Benefits
• Veteran’s Benefits
• Unemployment
• Disability

* A copy of student’s social security card *

If you have concerns or questions about providing any of the documents above, click here.

* Schedule of student’s current classes *

Click here to download the Schedule of Classes form.

* Recommendation Form *

Click here to download the recommendation form and ask a teacher, counselor, or another adult who knows you well to complete it.

• Student applicants will be contacted via their Gmail account for a one-on-one interview.
• The interviews will take place at your school site during school hours or after school at the local library
• Interviews will typically take about 10 mins and play a big factor in the final selection process.
• Students can print out and complete the Pre-Interview Worksheet to prepare for the interview.

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Application Assurances

• All information submitted during the application is kept strictly confidential. Upward Bound will never share or release an applicant’s personal information to anyone other the applicant.
• Once your application and required documents are received, they are securely filed away and can only be accessed by the Upward Bound program.
• Even if an applicant is not selected to participate in the program, all information will continue to be securely stored and protected.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact: