Upward Bound is a federally funded educational program implemented and monitored by the United States Department of Education. Programs provide outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The program was developed out of the 1965 Higher Education Act; grants are awarded to institutes of higher learning, such as Eastern Michigan University (EMU); with the goal to provide high school students greater access to education beyond high school. Upward Bound programming began at EMU in 1967, and annually serves approximately 65-75 students from the Ypsilanti and Willow Run High Schools.

Upward Bound facilitates three major components for students; Academic, Summer Academy, and Summer Bridge Scholarship Program. The academic component in which educational, career, and personal assessments are conducted to assist in the development of an individual student support plan. Weekly sessions with tutors to provide assistance with homework; monthly group meetings to provide educational, cultural, and social enrichment; and college preparation services including academic advising; free SAT and ACT tests; fee waivers for up to three college applications; assistance with college and financial aid applications; and the college selection process including visits to differing college campuses.

In the Summer Academy, a required six-week component, students complete coursework in core subjects to strengthen their academic skills and abilities while still in high school. Courses are taught in small class sizes allowing for maximum teacher to student interaction. Students will receive high school credit upon successful completion of courses. Students also participate in paid internships designed to expose students to their chosen career field. Participation also occurs in a wide variety of academic, social, and cultural activities that introduce students to new experiences which enhance self-esteem while providing personal growth. Experiences are also generated through field trips to colleges and universities, and other places of interest; nonetheless students have the opportunity to experience college life while living on the campus of EMU.

The final component is the Summer Bridge Scholarship Program which is available to seniors who graduate, providing assistance with tuition, books, and room and board at EMU during the summer semester following high school graduation, helping to ease the transition between high school and college.

Upward Bound at EMU requires students in the program give an 8-10 year commitment when they begin 9th grade, and for over 40 years, EMU and Upward Bound have helped hundreds of students go to college and has a 100 percent college matriculation rate and at 75-80 percent college graduation rate.