Welcome to the Upward Bound website!

Upward Bound at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise is a pre-college, academic support program designed to serve the citizens of Southwest Virginia by providing academic services, college preparation, and cultural enrichment to its participants through an academic year component and an annual residential summer program.  The program enhances academic and motivational skills preparing students to enroll in post-secondary education and be successful in today’s society.

Upward Bound at UVA Wise is funded in total (100%) by federal dollars from the U.S. Department of Education, with an annual budget of $444,218. For questions and other information, please contact Shelby Roberts, Director of Upward Bound at 276-328-0175.

Ready to Apply?

Click below to access our online application.

Upward Bound Application

Upward Bound Application Process

Applicant submits ALL required information:

Here's a step-by-step description of how the UB application process works:

1. The UB office receives your COMPLETE application (use the checklist seen below to make sure you have everything).
2. You meet with a  UB staff member to conduct a student interview; we can usually do this when we visit your school during lunch time.
3. All application materials are reviewed to determine your eligibility.
4. The UB staff has a meeting with you and at least one parent/guardian at the UB office.
5. You will receive an admission decision by email or during a UB school visit.

 Application Requirements

In order to be considered for admission, we must receive ALL of the following:

• Completed Upward Bound application
• Income verification (if required)

Applicants must also provide the following:

1. Current transcripts (Ask your guidance office for them)
2. Updated SOL score report (Ask your guidance office for them)
3. Authorization to Obtain Education Records Form
4. Teacher Recommendation Form 

You can submit any documentation to UB at upwardbound@uvawise.edu, OR by giving it to your guidance office, OR just keep an eye out for UB representatives in your school's cafeteria during lunch (we're there at least twice per month).

What comes next? We'll contact you to let you know what else we need to process your application. Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions!

Upward Bound Non-Discrimination Policy

TITLE IX: UVA Wise (the “College”) is committed to maintaining a respectful, professional and nondiscriminatory academic, living and working environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This includes maintaining an environment free from harassment and discrimination for everyone and does not discriminate on the basis of a person’s race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, pregnancy or parenting status, disability, or other protected status. This includes having an environment free from sexual and gender-based harassment, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, complicity and retaliation. For more information contact Tabitha Smith, Title IX Coordinator, Office of Compliance Conduct, & Inclusion (tabitha.smith@uvawise.edu). The College’s full Sexual Misconduct Policy and grievance procedures are available at www.uvawise.edu/compliance/files/compliance/UVaWise_SexualMisconductPolicy.pdf

CAMPUS SECURITY-CLERY ACT: UVA Wise is committed to helping the campus community provide for their own safety and security. The Annual Security Report and Fire Safety Report containing information on campus security and personal safety, including alerts, fire safety, crime prevention tips, and crime statistics is available at www.uvawise.edu/ASR. A copy is available upon request by calling 276-328-0190 or 276-376-3451.