Upward Bound
What is Upward Bound?
Upward Bound is a Federal TRiO Program funded by the U.S. Department of Education through competitive grants. Currently, CR is one of only 964 Upward Bound projects in the U.S. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete high school and enroll in and graduate from college.
Upward Bound provides:
- Support in preparation for college entrance.
- Opportunities to succeed in precollege performance and ultimately in higher education pursuits.
Eligibility:
- You must be enrolled in 8th -12th grades; attending, or will attend a high school we serve
- Willing to attempt a rigorous high school curriculum
- Interested in college or career technical education
- Income eligible** and/or first generation***
Join our Free* College Prep Program
Making College Dreams a Reality Since 1988!
- Earn school credit and live like a college student for 5-6 weeks during our summer camp.
- Go on college tours, attend leadership conferences, receive mentoring.
- Get help with college/career planning.
- Get help with paying for college.
- Also, become eligible for the Dell Scholars Scholarship.
- Get FREE tutoring at your school.
- Receive stipends for your full-time participation Redwoods Upward Bound during the school year and summer.
How do you apply?
- Please make an appointment with the Upward Bound advising staff at your school site if you are interested in the program. Your high school counselor can help you do this!
- Complete and submit the application form or download the PDF Application.
- Ask a teacher or counselor to fill out a recommendation form for you.
- After you complete our application, an Upward Bound advisor will contact you at your school to interview you.
Are you Upward Bound?
After completing our application, please make an appointment with the Upward Bound advising staff at your school site. Your counselor can help you do this.
Services
Summer Program
During the summer, Upward Bound participants may take part in our free academic and residential programming designed to build college readiness, confidence, and connection.
1) College Blitz Night (New Student Orientation)
College Blitz is a fun, informative orientation for new Upward Bound students. Upward
Bound staff host workshops at your local College of the Redwoods campus focused on
college and career exploration, goal-setting, and what it takes to succeed after high
school.
2) Four-Day College Tour (11th Grade Priority)
Students can participate in a four-day college tour at least once before graduating
high school. On this trip, students visit different types of college campuses across
California and take part in cultural and educational activities. This trip is reserved
for 11th-grade students; if space is available, we may offer a limited number of spots
to 10th-grade students.
3) Six-Week Academic Residential Summer Program (Open to All UB Participants)
All Upward Bound participants are eligible to join our summer program, which includes
both an on-campus residential experience and a vitual program option. The virtual
program begins June 22, 2026. The academic residential program takes place at College
of the Redwoods in Eureka, California from July 5–July 31, 2026.
Academic means students take classes offered through Upward Bound and, when available, may also enroll in College of the Redwoods courses. Course options may include Composition, Literature, Math, Lab Science, Foreign Language, Life Skills, and other subjects. Many classes can support high school elective credit (check with your school site for approval).
Residential means students live in the dorms for a true college-simulated experience.
Virtual means students begin instruction online through workshops and/or an online class.
Summer Bridge Program (For Recent High School Graduates)
Upward Bound also offers a Summer Bridge Program for graduating seniors who want support
transitioning into college. Summer Bridge participants take a college class and work
in a paid work-study position on campus. Students may also live in the dorms and participate
in a Residential Advisor Internship.
Mentorship and Support
Throughout the summer, participants connect with college student mentors who provide
guidance, encouragement, and support. Many of our mentors are former Upward Bound
students who are there to support our students as Residential Advisors.
Option for Students Unable to Attend in Person
We are excited to introduce a new option for students who cannot attend the on-campus
summer program: participants may be able to take an CR online class or participate
in our language course online and still earn high school elective credit. More details
will be shared soon. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact your advisor.
Academic Year
During the academic year, Upward Bound offers these services directly to participants’ at their high schools:
- Tutorial support
- Academic and career advising
- Guidance with college selection and applications
- Assistance with financial aid and scholarship applications
- Aadcemic and Skill Building Workshops
Upward Bound also organizes field trips and cultural activities throughout the year.
Upward Bound can assist students with the concurrent enrollment and registration process; however, the program is not able to cover the cost of textbooks. Many students take advantage of the opportunity to enroll in college courses while still in high school.
Job Opportunities
(5-10 hrs/week) $16 per hour
Upward Bound provides services year-round with the school year focus on tutoring and advising. We are seeking tutors who demonstrate the ability to tutor in English, math (all levels), sciences, and foreign languages. Ideal tutors are available to meet with students at their schools during lunch, study hall, or after school. They must also be able to commit to working for the full school year (September-June). Training and certification in tutoring is available at no cost to our tutors.
To apply, please download the following documents and submit the applications, and a cover letter to our office.
Tutor Job Description
Tutor Application (required)
College of the Redwoods Application (required)
Application is NOW OPEN!
Dear Prospective Instructor:
We are looking forward to our Upward Bound summer residential program this year! Much of our success can be attributed to the enthusiasm and expertise of our teaching staff each summer. Teaching for Upward Bound is a great opportunity to work with dynamic youth who aspire to go to college but who need extra support to get there. You will help us provide underrepresented high school students with the opportunity to learn in a challenging but supportive environment. We invite you to be a part of the program this year by submitting an application, a cover letter, and a course proposal. Instructors are paid $30/hour. Experience teaching and working with adolescents are desired qualifications.
We are seeking course proposals that offer project-based or hands-on learning opportunities and preferably courses that teach more than one subject-matter. For example, a class may have a theater arts theme that requires students to write, analyze literature, study history, and perform a monologue. Another may have an environmental science theme that includes laboratory projects, the scientific method, critical thinking, and expository writing. For more information about project-based learning, see Introduction to Project Based Learning (VIDEO)
Please be aware that temporary staff at College of the Redwoods are only paid once a month on the 10th of each month so you will not receive your first paycheck until July 10th and then again on August 10th.
Courses meeting dates July 6-29th, 2026. This year instructors will be teaching in a block format meeting with students on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday of in person session.
Please use the following link to download a template for your proposal: UB Summer Course Proposal Template
We look forward to receiving your proposal for our summer program. Feel free to give us a call at (707) 476-4278 or (707) 476-4303 if you have any questions.
TO APPLY: complete the following 3 steps...
- Fill out application. (Instructor Application PDF Here)
- Create a course proposal using our template. You may submit more than one proposal for consideration. You will need to upload your course proposal to your CR Online Application before you submit your application.
- Cover letter
Application is NOW OPEN!
Our summer program residential staff are inspiring and influential mentors who help our participants realize their college dreams. Residential staff provide fun, safe, and rewarding experiences to participants who are living away from home for 4 weeks during the summer. All residential staff are expected to reside in the residence halls while the program is in session. In addition to hourly pay, residential staff receive room and board (bed and meals) at no cost to them. Residential staff also receive paid training. All positions require completion of at least one year of college. Ideal applicants will be recent college graduates OR were enrolled in college or graduate school during the 2025-26 academic year. Our summer program will run from June 22nd-July 31st, 2026.
Please be aware that temporary staff at College of the Redwoods are only paid once a month on the 10th of each month so you will not receive your first paycheck until July 10th and then again on August 10th.
Please contact our office at (707) 476-4278 or email Heidi-Bareilles@redwoods.edu for more information if needed.
We are seeking mentors for the following positions: (All pay rates are up to date as of 1/13/2026)
- Residential Coordinator* (RC) $19.50/hour, (1 position @ approximately 40 hours/week): First review of applications: March 1, 2026. TENTATIVE Employment dates June 1st- July 31st, 2026. Additional training days will be added in June. TBD.
- Residential Advisor (RA), $17.50/hour (multiple positions @ approximately 30 hours/week): First review of applications: March 1, 2026. TENTATIVE Employment dates June 22nd- July 31st, 2026. Additional training days will be added in June. TBD..
- Van Drivers and Lifeguards (hours and pay vary): Please contact our office for information on these positions and for application instructions. Call 707-476-4278.
TO APPLY:
Please return the following items by email attachment
- Your most recent unofficial transcripts (PDF).
- A cover letter (Cover Letter Instructions).
- Residential Staff Application (requires Adobe Reader).
Please contact our office at (707) 476-4278 or email Heidi-Bareilles@redwoods.edu for more information if needed.
*Priority is given to applicants who have been participants in outreach programs for disadvantaged youth or who have faced and overcome similar barriers as our participants.
High Schools We Serve
Contact Information
*There are no fees of any kind for Upward Bound participants nor their families. All costs are paid out of a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
** Federal TRiO guidelines used to determine income eligibility are relatively generous and are based on "Taxable income" and not gross income.
***Neither parent has earned a Bachelors Degree at the time of admission to Upward Bound.