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Upward Bound

Welcome to Simpson College Upward Bound!

West End Salvage Group Outing

Upward Bound is a federal TRIO program funded by the U.S. Department of Education which provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves high school students from low-income families and 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.

The TRIO Programs are federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.  The history of TRIO has evolved over time. It began with Upward Bound, which emerged out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in response to the administration's War on Poverty. In 1965, Talent Search, the second outreach program, was created as part of the Higher Education Act. In 1968, Student Support Services became the third in a series of educational opportunity programs. By the late 1960's, the term "TRIO" was used to describe these three federal programs.  Over the years, the TRIO Programs have been expanded and improved to provide a wider range of services and to reach more students who need assistance. Today TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities.

Simpson College Upward Bound has been in existence since 1999 and serves fifty-two college-bound students from a total of six high schools in the Des Moines and Warren County communities. The Simpson College Upward Bound program strives to provide individualized assistance and opportunities for students in grades 9 thru 12 to succeed in their high school performance and ultimately in their college pursuits. This is done through intensive advising services and by providing students with rigorous and nurturing academic support as well as culturally enriching activities.

Check out Simpson College Upward Bound on Facebook or Twitter.  For more information on TRIO and Upward Bound, visit the Iowa TRIO website or the federal Upward Bound TRIO website.