Eligibility
In order to be eligible to participate in FSU's Upward Bound Program, a student must meet the below requirements:
- Attend high school in Allegany County
- Currently in grades 8 through 12 (Grade 8 students may participate upon grade completion)
- Demonstrate college potential and interest/desire to attend college
- Exhibit a need for UB Services
- 2/3 of participants must be both income eligible and be potential first-generation college graduate (neither parent has a 4-year college degree)
- 1/3 of participants can be either income eligible or potential first-generation college graduate
You can review current income allowances (for Upward Bound eligibility) on the U.S. Department of Education web site.
Upward Bound Academic Expectations
- Complete a rigorous secondary school program of study
- Complete at least 2 years of mathematics beyond Algebra 1; 4 years of mathematics expected for USM institutions (FSU, UMCP, TU, SU, UMBC)
- Complete 3 years of science including 1 year of at least 2 of the following courses: Biology. Chemistry, and Physics
- Complete at least 1 year of foreign language; 2 years of foreign language expected for USM institutions
- Complete 3 years of social studies
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale at the end of the school year each year of high school
- Achieve at the proficient level on state assessment in reading/language arts and math before graduating high school
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) senior year before deadline
- Enroll in program of postsecondary education by fall term following graduation from high school
- Place into college-level math and English without need for remediation in the first year of postsecondary education
- Attain either an associate’s degree within 3 years or a bachelor’s degree within 6 years, preferably within 2 years and 4 years, respectively