Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is my child required to attend all six weeks of the summer program?
Yes. The summer program is a huge component of Upward Bound. It provides a chance for the Forks community and the Port Angeles community to unify and for the students to get to know each other in a way they can’t experience during tutoring hours.
2. How is the transportation dealt with during the school year and summer?
During the school year, students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the scheduled tutoring sessions. If transportation is a problem, students should speak with Upward Bound staff and arrangements can be discussed. During the summer program, transportation to and from Olympic Park Institute will be provided as well as the week of touring various colleges throughout the state. During the four week component at Peninsula College, students will be provided with bus passes to assist them in their transportation to and from the college.
3. What does the Upward Bound program cost?
The Upward Bound program is free to all participants!
These services are free to Upward Bound students and families; however, the federal government spends approximately $4,000 to $5,000 per student per year. These funds go towards central staff, teacher and tutor salaries, field trips, food, housing, transportation and activities during the summer program. If a student enters the program in his or her freshman year in high school, your government will have spent approximately $16,000 to $20,000 on that student by the time he or she graduates from high school presuming they participate in Upward Bound throughout their high school career. Because of the amount spent, it is essential that our students’ level of commitment is very high. Upward Bound has proven to be effective in reaching its goals, and that is due to students’ dedication to completing the program.
4. What if we move out of the area?
If the student moves to an area and are close enough to continue to fulfill their tutoring session requirements and the summer program, Upward Bound will continue to serve the student. If the move is too far, the Program Director will try to connect the student with another project.
5. What if my child changes high schools?
If your child changes high school and is enrolled in a school that is not on the original list of five high schools we serve, they will still be included in the Upward Bound program. Changing schools does not effect your enrollment in the program. Students must be able to attend tutoring and the summer program.
6. What if my child's extra-curricular activities conflict with the program?
A strong effort will be made to compromise and, if necessary, accommodate students other extra-curricular activities.
7. What is a stipend and how are they earned?
A stipend is a small allowance set aside for each student and they are eligible to earn this amount each month. The maximum stipend amount allowed during the school year is $40.00 per month. Stipends are earned through attendance, cooperation, and participation as evaluated by tutors and Upward Bound staff. Students must be in attendance from the beginning of the tutoring session until the end of the tutoring session to receive full credit for their attendance. Staff may deduct part of the stipend if students are not participating or fully cooperating in the tutoring session. Stipends are factored based on students meeting their individualized requirements of full participation and attendance of tutoring sessions. Stipends may also be available to students who fully participate in the summer program. The maximum stipend amount allowed during the summer is $60.00 per month.
8. As a high school freshman, does my child have to participate in four years of Upward Bound?
Each participant is expected to participate in the program throughout their high school career. Eligible students may also participate in the Bridge Summer immediately following high school graduation.
9. Am I expected to go to college at Peninsula College?
No, you are not expected to go to college at Peninsula College. Upward Bound is not a recruiting arm for Peninsula College. Our goal is to help our students get accepted into, and succeed at, the college best suited to the student and their families.
10. Are there any circumstances in which my child would be asked to leave the Upward Bound program?
Yes. Upward Bound is a privilege and an investment in your student’s future. We hope that the participants will respect the program and avoid putting themselves in a situation where their enrollment in the program is jeopardized. (See Disciplinary Action, p. 10).
11. What is TRIO?
The Federal TRIO Programs are educational opportunity outreach programs designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes six outreach and support programs targeted to serve and assist low-income, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post baccalaureate programs. TRIO also includes a training program for directors and staff of TRIO projects and a dissemination partnership program to encourage the replication or adaptation of successful practices of TRIO projects at institutions and agencies that do not have TRIO grants.
12. How long does the program last?
If a student begins participating in the Upward Bound program during their freshman year of high school, they can remain enrolled in the program throughout all four academic years and each summer in between. Eligible students may also participate in the Bridge Summer immediately following high school graduation.