TRIO

Upward Bound

TRIO is a set of eight federally funded college opportunity programs that motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in pursuit of a college degree. CSUN sponsors two of these programs, Educational Talent Search (ETS) and Upward Bound.

The Upward Bound (grades 9-12) program at CSUN assists students in completing high school and pursuing a college degree. Check out the program requirements, services, forms and application process below, and keep updated by following Upward Bound on Facebook and Instagram.

Program Requirements

To participate in the Upward Bound program at CSUN, you must:

  1. Attend one of the target area schools in the San Fernando Valley.
    • Birmingham Community Charter High School
    • Reseda High School
    • Sylmar High School
  2. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  3. Be a low-income or first generation student.
  4. Be currently enrolled in 9th or 10th grade.
  5. Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
  6. Have a demonstrated academic need.
  7. Have a desire and show potential to attend a postsecondary institution and need the program services offered to accomplish your educational goals.

Program Services

The Upward Bound program at CSUN provides an array of support services and resources, so students may be prepared and successfully access postsecondary opportunities. Program services are free for Upward Bound students and are offered during and after school.

The Upward Bound staff provides workshops and activities on the following topics.

  • Academic tutoring after school
  • College advisement (University of California system, California State University campuses, private schools, community colleges, and trade or vocational schools)
  • College application assistance (University of California system, California State University campuses, private schools, community colleges and out-of-state colleges)
  • Student transcript and test score evaluation
  • Career exploration
  • Financial aid application assistance
  • Scholarship research
  • Saturday Academy (monthly preparatory classes in mathematics, literature, writing and study skills)
  • Six-week summer enrichment program (instruction in mathematics, laboratory science, literature and foreign language)
  • Learning style assessment
  • Study skills, test-taking strategies, note-taking skills and time management
  • Life skills, such as goal setting, peer pressure, writing a resume and  interviewing for a job
  • Transition to college
  • Personal motivation and leadership skills
  • Field trips to universities, museums and cultural events
  • Parent information workshops

Apply

To apply, carefully read and complete each section of the Upward Bound application, and gather recommendations from a teacher and school counselor. Incomplete applications will delay processing and student services.

Once you have completed your application, please submit it to your high school counselor or the Upward Bound program coordinator at your participating school. If you prefer, you can mail it to the following address:

Upward Bound Programs
California State University, Northridge
Student Outreach and Recruitment Services
18111 Nordhoff St.
Northridge, CA 91330-8212

If your application is selected, you will receive a telephone call to schedule an interview with an Upward Bound representative.

The Upward Bound program will select participants without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religious preference, disability or other differentiating factors.

Forms