Upward Bound is a Federal TRIO Program under the United States Department of Education (U.S.D.E.), designed to encourage and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds to improve their performance and motivation to pursue a post-secondary education. The University at Buffalo Upward Bound Program (UBP) was established in 1967 as a high school-to-college transitional service for students who are income-eligible and/or the first in their family to earn a bachelor’s degree. The UBP continues to provide a rigorous academic program in an educational climate that emphasizes empathy, compassion, social awareness and a sense of belonging to address the whole student. In addition, we provide academic programming focused on inquiry, critical thinking and problem solving.

UB’s Upward Bound Program also encompasses academic immersion, service learning and other nontraditional educational experiences, such as civic engagement, career exploration and activities that emphasize creative thinking, hands-on discovery and personal growth to expand our students’ global understanding.

UBP has successfully assisted over 5,000 income-eligible and/or first-generation high school students in realizing their worth as productive, contributing members in a wide range of career fields. Countless graduates of the program have completed degrees in higher education and have successful careers in business, education, engineering, law, medicine, nursing, teaching and other fields.