The following questions satisfy federal program data collection requirements. Therefore, marking associated boxes is not optional. Upward Bound application reviewers would never discriminate and/or choose participants based on color, creed, gender, or any other preferred association indicated or stated by an applicant or program participant. Thank you for your understanding.

3. Low-Income Eligibility and Verification

Legal Guardian must mark/provide information for either (1) or (2) below.

(1).  I will provide at least ONE or more of the following with this application to demonstrate that our household meets the modest-income thresholds defined by the current year Federal TRIO Program infographic in this section and based on my family size of {familySize}. 

Federal TRIO Programs
Current-Year Low-Income Levels

(Effective January 13, 2021 until further notice)

For family units with more than eight members, add the following amount for each additional family member: $6,810 for the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia and outlying jurisdictions; $8,520 for Alaska; and $7,830 for Hawaii.

The term "low-income individual" means an individual whose family's taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level amount.

The figures shown under family income represent amounts equal to 150 percent of the family income levels established by the Census Bureau for determining poverty status. The 2021 poverty guidelines are in effect as of January 13, 2021. Federal Register notice was published February 1, 2021.

Legal Guardian(s) financial information and associated documentation must be provided signed and in its entirety for the student’s consideration for admission into the Upward Bound program.

The basic eligibility requirement for a “low-income designation” is that 1) family taxable income falls within a certain range (variable depending on size of family).

Legal Guardian Low-Income Statement and Required Signature

The Upward Bound program at Independence Community College is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. We are required to track program participants’ academic performance from the time they enter the program through their graduation from college. Future funding of the project is based on our ability to annually prove that our graduates are successful in college. Whenever possible, we will collect the data we need directly from our students. In some cases, it is necessary to contact schools directly to obtain current accurate information. This consent to release records allows us to do so.

Upward Bound may request the following information by phone, fax, e-mail, letter, or in person:

• Copy of high school mid-term reports, grades, transcripts, results of standardized tests, and class rank
• Copy of financial aid applications, financial aid awards, and other proposal letters
• Copy of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Copy of Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or other recommended disability services or diagnoses
• Information concerning status of college and program admissions application(s)
• Any other academic records that verify admission to, attendance or status at, and/or separation from a postsecondary institution.

I authorize the release of academic, financial aid, and publicity information for the student listed – including, but not limited to the information listed above, to Upward Bound at Independence Community College for ten calendar years from the date of my signature. I also authorize Upward Bound to release this information to third parties for reporting purposes when necessary.

(B) Independent Student Status:

Please note that most students are NOT considered independents unless they meet the following requirements: Student is emancipated, their school has declared them homeless, or are living in circumstances that require them to be legally/financially declared as independent from parent(s). Independent applicants are required to fill out a separate application.

Please contact (620) 332-5465 / 5453 / 5452 or email upwardbound@indycc.edu for the “Independent Student Upward Bound Application” if you marked and qualify for (B) above.

With any external school commitment, you will have to juggle your responsibilities and prioritize what is important to you. School always comes first!

To participate in Upward Bound and in order to receive certain program benefits such as monthly pay for participation, students are required to participate in all “program requirements.”

Program Requirements

• Complete high school
• Maintain a 2.5 GPA
• Must attend 2 Upward Bound meetings a month
• Must attend 1 Upward Bound Saturday seminar each month
• Participate in Summer Fest!
• Must stay in the program throughout high school
• Must attend college after high school earning a two-year degree or higher and we'll help you get there!

Listing other commitments and answering the questions above will not have an impact on our application decision.

My signature below affirms the markings and answers to all questions I/we provided in this application are complete, true, and accurate to the best of my current ability and knowledge.

To be considered for the program, the application process requires all requested information. Please know an applicant can qualify based on a combination of different information requested. By law, all information is confidential and remains protected in privacy.

1. First-Generation College Student Eligibility

Your response below determines, by our grant standard, if the student applicant qualifies as a first-generation college student.

For purposes of affirming potential first generation college student status, documentation consists of a signed statement from a dependent participant's parent.

2. At Risk for Academic Failure Eligibility

To be considered for acceptance into the Upward Bound Program, you must submit a COMPLETE application. The initial application is a one-time requirement. We do not require recertification after participants are accepted.

Use the checklist below to verify you’ve completed the entire application packet. Only return application packet pages 3-10 to us in addition to any required, supporting documentation.

1. Student Application has been completed by both legal guardian and applicant.
   1. Both the legal guardian and applicant have signed page six.
2. Participant Eligibility Form has been completed by the applicant’s legal guardian or independent student.
   1. If applicable, legal guardian or independent student has provided a statement within this application regarding the applicant’s low-income status and they have signed the required signature box.
   2. If no statement and signature were provided, substantiating and signed financial documentation has been included with this completed application packet.
3. Release of Records Form has been reviewed, filled out entirely, and signed/dated by both the student applicant and their legal guardian.
4. I have contacted ALL of the following required recommendation individuals. They provided me with their contact information below and stated they would offer Upward Bound staff their recommendation for my program acceptance when they are asked to do so:

Using student transcripts, we are required to verify that accepted program participants have/will complete all of the following five (5) core class components during high school: 

1. Four years of English

2. Three years of Math (including Algebra I and a higher-level class)         

3. Three years of Science (includes two of the three: Biology, Chemistry, or Physics)

4. Three years Social Studies (may include history, sociology, psychology, political science, geography, economics, government)

5. One year of a foreign language

Thank you for applying. The application submitted will be reviewed and processed, and the student and legal guardian will be contacted, within 2 to 3 weeks time. 

Contact us at upwardbound@indycc.edu if you have any questions in the meantime.