The goal of Upward Bound is to provide certain categories of high school students better opportunities for attending college.

The program works through individual grants, each of which covers a restricted geographic area and provides services to approximately 59,000 [2] students annually.

This program is set in place for students who come from low income families as well as underrepresented schools and gives them an opportunity to excel in college.

The idea of Upward Bound came from Stan Salett, a civil rights organizer, national education policy advisor and one of the creators of the Head Start Program.

It specializes in math and science skills for TRiO eligible students to improve their performance and motivation to pursue postsecondary enrollment.

The Upward Bound Program selects those universities and organizations who receive grant funding based on their competitive criteria: Those applicants who demonstrate a Rationale; Applicants who meet student’s social, emotional, and academic needs; and strengthens cross-agency coordination and community engagement to advance systematic change.

As federal education grants, Upward Bound awards fall under EDGAR and OMB Circular A-21 financial guidelines.

Methodologies vary among summer programs, such as one based on Lancelot Hogben's social usefulness method as applied in the 1980s by an Upward Bound Astronomy program for Los Angeles County high school students, that subsequently evolved into a low-tech and low-cost method by Dr Daniel Barth at Mount San Jacinto College.

In the latter case, Upward Bound Programs are primarily located at various universities across the United States according to the demographic makeup of the localities served.

For example at East Tennessee State University, located in Johnson City, Tennessee, the school offers students the ability to enter into individual counseling sessions, ACT preparation courses; as well as participate in cultural events, field trips and classes in typical academic subjects.

[11] Likewise, at Washington State University, located in Pullman, Washington, the institution offers similar workshops and activities such as: basic academic subjects, SAT & ACT preparation courses, academic advising and tutoring; as well as cultural enrichment activities and individualized support.

It specializes in math and science skills for TRiO eligible students to improve their performance and motivation to pursue postsecondary enrollment.

[5] The Upward Bound Math-Science program (UBMS) was created for students to have the opportunity to excel in the areas of math and science.

UBMS is a program that was put in place by the federal government and was there to provide not so fortunate children with the opportunity to gain knowledge from mathematicians as well as scientists who have experience in these fields.

Notable alumni of Upward Bound programs include[16] John Quiñones, Angela Bassett, José M. Hernández, Troy Polamalu, Emmy-winning Journalist Rick Blalock, Kenny Leon, Donna Brazile, Patrick Ewing, Henry Bonilla, Cardi B[citation needed], LALA Castillo, Raphael Warnock, Oprah Winfrey and Viola Davis.

Students who were enrolled in the Upward Bound program were categorized into distinct groups based on the length of time they participated.

The results of the observational study showed that an additional year participating in Upward Bound can significantly improve students’ motivation and persistence to pursue higher education, apply for financial aid, apply for highly selective 4 year college programs, and complete higher education.

There are confounding variables in this study, mostly due to the characteristic of students who decide to stay involved in the program and therefore have higher educational expectations for themselves.

[19] Additionally, research at the Journal of Hispanic Higher Education suggests that Upward Bound programs can specifically help more (otherwise discouraged) Latino students pursue dreams of college.

Data reported by the Pell Institute shows positive effects found in legislatively mandated programs.

[24] At Stark State College they found that students, following COVID Stay at Home Restrictions, voiced their preferences for in-person and hands-on training in STEM activities.

Furthermore, they found 77% of students conducting an exit interview from the program rated College Connection tutorial/advising sessions as good or excellent.

Stark State College concluded that most reviews by students were rated good or excellent with comments mainly suggesting that there were too many learning activities and that they enjoyed field trips taken.