Cornell's Upward Bound program, which prepares 50 students annually in Groton and Elmira high schools for college, has received continued funding by the U.S. Department of Education. The amount, $1.3 million spread over five years, will enable the program to expand its services to include the Newfield and Spencer-Van Etten high schools and serve 63 students annually.

Upward Bound provides students from low-income and first-generation (neither parent has a four-year degree) families with weekly academic tutoring sessions with Cornell students, individual counseling with program staff, assistance in choosing high school courses to strengthen their transcripts, and support in preparing college and financial aid applications. Upward Bound students also participate in a six-week summer enrichment program at Cornell in Ithaca.

Participation in Upward Bound is free. Participants are chosen annually through an application and interview process. For more information, email upwardbound@cornell.edu or call 607-255-5814.