Eastern Kentucky University's Upward Bound Program Opens Recruitment for Garrard County High School Students

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is now recruiting high school students from Garrard County High School for its long-standing Upward Bound (UB) program. Established in 1965 and serving seven Kentucky counties including Garrard, EKU's UB aims to prepare students for college and provide academic support.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education as one of the federal TRIO programs, EKU's UB is an academic, college-preparatory initiative currently serving 125 students from Casey, Estill, Garrard, Lee, Lincoln, Powell, and Wolfe counties. The program has received a TRIO grant from the United States Department of Education totaling $627,410 to ensure its continued success.

The program offers a comprehensive suite of support services to aid student success, including tutoring, ACT preparation, college visits, cultural trips, as well as assistance in college admission and financial aid. In addition to its year-round offerings, UB also hosts a 6-week summer residential program known as Summer Chautauqua.

The EKU UB program seeks to serve students who meet one or more of the following criteria: interested in becoming first-generation college graduates from their families, unable to afford college, willing to participate in tutoring and classes in their home counties and during the summers on EKU's campus, motivated to raise their ACT scores, in need of academic support to achieve their educational aspirations beyond high school, and interested in cultivating new friendships and positive experiences.

All services offered by the program, including the Summer Chautauqua, are provided at no cost to participants. In addition, Upward Bound students receive stipends during both the academic year and the summer program, relieving financial burdens on families.

Interested families can contact the EKU UB program to discuss the application process and eligibility requirements. Application forms are available under the "forms" tab on the program's website www.upwardbound.eku.edu, and an electronic application can also be completed online. Students can also be nominated for the program through the website.