Eligibility and Student Application
Upward Bound seeks students who have the potential for postsecondary education.
Eligibility
If taxable income is at or below the amount listed for your family size, you would meet the income eligibility requirement. Be sure to use taxable income (IRS 1040, line 15) and not adjusted gross income.
Students can enter the program as early as the completion of the 8th grade and as late as 11th grade. Remember, the program serves students from Kato Public Charter, Madelia, Mankato East and Mankato West.
We serve up to 86 students during the academic year and about 50 during the summer (40-45 in the regular summer program and 5-10 in the bridge program for recent graduates). Students not attending either of these summer programs will be offered a 4 day study skills/career exploration workshop after the regular program ends.
The U.S. Department of Education expects Upward Bound participants to remain in the program until they complete high school, graduate on time, enter postsecondary education and then complete postsecondary studies.
To Be Eligible
To be eligible for the Upward Bound Program, a student must, at the time of admission:
- be at least 13 years old and have completed the 8th grade and must not have completed the 11th grade,
- have the potential and desire for academic success in high school and postsecondary education, and have some need for academic improvement,
- be from a low income family (as determined by the U.S. Department of Education; see income table below) or from a family in which neither parent has graduated from a four-year college.
Federal Family Income Levels for Program Eligibility
| Family Size | Taxable Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $22,590 |
| 2 | $30,660 |
| 3 | $38,730 |
| 4 | $46,800 |
| 5 | $54,870 |
| 6 | $62,940 |
| 7 | $71,010 |
| 8 | $79,080 |
Student Application
To apply for the Upward Bound Program, print and complete the student application. Return to your school counseling office or mail to the address below.
Upward Bound ProgramMinnesota State University, Mankato
324 Wiecking Center
Mankato, MN 56001
