University of North Texas 
Introduction to TRIO UB Presentation
Qualifications
Students in Upward Bound come from families where neither parent has earned a four-year college degree or who will need financial assistance to pay for college. Approximately 70% of all Upward Bound participants must be members of traditionally underserved student groups (neither parent has earned a college degree and the student is moderate-income) while the remaining students must be one of those two or a student who is at high risk of academic failure.
UNT's TRIO UB focuses on serving students in and around Denton County. We serve seven local high schools, which are:
- Aubrey HS
- Braswell HS
- Denton HS
- Krum HS
- Little Elm HS
- Ryan HS
- Sanger HS
As a federally funded program, there are restrictions on who we can accept into the program. As the purpose of TRIO UB is to help level the playing ground for underrepresented students, to qualify for the program students have to be at least one of the following:
- First-Generation Student - Neither parents/guardians have received a Bachelor's degree. Students whose parents earned an Associate's degree still qualify as first-generation students.
- Moderate Income - The guideline to determine income status is set by the Federal Government. The income levels are not based on what a family makes per year. It looks at a family's taxable income (usually line 15 on tax Form 1040).
Students must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to participate in TRIO UB.
Recruiting Process
Recruitment runs from early October through mid-November. During this time, prospective students are invited to attend Saturday Academic Meetings to experience the program firsthand and complete their application. After the final meeting, staff review every application, and each student receives a letter in early December letting them know if they were accepted, waitlisted, or not accepted.
Recruiting Schedule
Prospective students are welcome to attend any of the following Saturday Academic Meetings:
- Saturday, October 3rd
- Saturday, October 17th
- Saturday, October 24th
- Saturday, November 7th
- Saturday, November 14th
Meetings are held in Room 116, UNT Sage Hall (1167 Union Cir, Denton, TX 76203) from 8:30 AM to 1:05 PM. A light breakfast is provided.
It's never too late to start. Students who miss earlier meetings are still welcome, they'll be caught up on anything they missed and given an application packet at their first meeting.
A Parent Meeting follows after the October 24th Saturday session from 1:10 to 2:10 PM, offered in both English and Spanish, giving families a chance to learn about the program and ask questions.
Application
The application has two parts: the application form and two required attachments, a personal essay and a photo of current grades. Students can complete it online or on paper.
Due Saturday, October 24th.
Students who are accepted begin the program in the spring.
Questions? Email us at: untupwardbound@unt.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers from staff and current TRIO UB students. Questions marked with a star (★) are from an Upward Bound alumnus now in college.
How can Upward Bound benefit me?
The biggest benefit is the support you get throughout your educational journey. You're
never figuring things out alone, staff are there to answer questions, and you'll build
real connections with peers working toward the same goal.
Other benefits include a clearer picture of your college options, resources tailored to what you actually need, friendships that often reach beyond your own school, and experiences you might not otherwise have access to.
★ "Upward Bound specializes in tutoring, finding peers, and preparing you for the college experience. I've gotten scholarship information through the program, had people help sharpen my papers, and had real conversations with staff. That last part helped me most, especially coming from a household that doesn't always talk openly about mental health."
What's good about the program?
- Free college prep at every high school grade level
- A real taste of college life before you graduate high school
- Free tutoring, in-person and online
- A community of peers with the same goal
- Free trips and experiences that support your growth, from local outings to college tours
What are the downsides?
Most students point to the time commitment, giving up part of your Saturday mornings,
plus part of the summer. It gets easier once you've found your group of friends in
the program, and most students say looking back, it was worth it.
★ "The real downsides are the Saturday mornings and a month of summer, but you'll look back and be glad you did it. The UBjectives can feel like extra work sometimes, but they build the kind of responsibility and initiative colleges actually look for."
Can you help with schoolwork?
Yes. College student tutors are available at every Saturday meeting, and we can arrange
extra tutoring during the week if needed. Students also get free access to online
tutoring anytime.
Do you help with scholarships?
Yes. Finding and applying for scholarships is built into the curriculum starting junior
year, and every newsletter includes a new scholarship to check out.
What kinds of experiences will I have?
Most students say their favorite part is living in the dorms during the summer, spending
extended time with friends and taking part in everything the program offers. Other
highlights include:
- Local trips to Dallas and Fort Worth, plus Senior year field trips
- In-state and out-of-state college tours
- Exposure to different college majors to help narrow down what fits
- Support through the entire college application process, so no one goes through it alone
Throughout the year, we also bring students together for events like Self-Care Day, Friendsgiving, and outings around DFW.