Upward Bound

West Virginia University Upward Bound (WVU Upward Bound) has ended. The program got a non-continuation notice from the U.S. Department of Education and closed on December 31, 2025, so it no longer accepts students. Upward Bound at WVU was a free college access program for students at Preston High School in West Virginia. It had received federal funding continuously since 2007. Participants got tutoring, college-level coursework, help paying for dual-enrollment credits, and chances to do research and job shadowing. The program also offered SAT and ACT prep, help with college applications and financial aid, campus visits, and a residential summer program. All services were free. Students could earn stipends of up to $20 a month during the school year and up to $60 a month in the summer, plus up to $300 a month for summer work-study. Students looking for similar support can check whether another TRIO Upward Bound program serves their high school.

When the program ran, students had to attend Preston High School and either meet federal income guidelines or be the first in their family to go to college, meaning neither parent had finished a four-year degree.