Eligibility Requirements

1. Must attend one of the following Upward Bound “target schools”:
   Alma High School
   Cedarville High School
   Future School of Fort Smith
   Hackett High School
   Mansfield High School
   Mulberry High School
   Northside High School
   Van Buren High School
   Van Buren Freshman Academy

2. Must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status.

3. Must meet at least one of the two criteria below:
   A.) Be a potential first-generation college student. A first-generation college student is one whose parents or legal guardians, with whom the student currently lives, have not earned a four-year college degree
   OR
   B.) Meet federal income guidelines. The guidelines look at both the “taxable income” (Line #15 on IRS 1040) of the parent/guardian that the student currently lives with, and the number of people in the household (see current income guidelines here). Any student applicant that is currently in foster care is automatically income eligible.

4. Must have a desire to attend and graduate from a two or four-year college or university.

5. Must show the willingness to make a long-term commitment to the program. Students are expected to participate fully and remain involved until graduation from high school.

6. Must be currently enrolled in or have completed Algebra I.

7. Must be able to secure transportation to all required Upward Bound events and the Summer Academy. Students that attend high school outside of the Fort Smith area, are eligible to receive a travel stipend.