Upward Bound is a program funded by the Department of Education that assists students in preparing for and entering college. Students are eligible for the program if they come from a low-income household, or if neither of their parents graduated with a Bachelor’s degree. Students meet with an educational adviser weekly to monitor their academic progress and receive any assistance they may need. They travel to Carson Newman University once a month, where they take workshops on various topics such as ACT Prep, Financial Literacy, and Responsibility. Students also have the option to live at CNU for a month in the summer as part of the Summer Program. This program prepares them for college as they take classes and live in dorms. Completing the summer program allows them to take an all-expenses paid trip to places like Boston, New York, and Orlando. Studies show that students are 4.5 times more likely to graduate from college if they participate in Upward Bound!