The University of San Diego TRIO Upward Bound program is one of over 900 Upward Bound programs nationwide that assist eligible high school students to achieve their dreams of persisting in and graduating to higher levels of education. The students that Upward Bound serves must come from low-income families (with incomes at or below 150% of poverty as defined by the U.S. Department of Education) and/or are first generation potential college students (neither parent/guardian has earned a bachelor's degree).

Upward Bound provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in pre-college performance and ultimately in higher education pursuits. Upward Bound aims to increase the rates at which participants complete secondary education, enroll in, and graduate from institutions of post-secondary education.

The University of San Diego TRIO Upward Bound (UB) Program creates and facilitates an educational and multicultural learning community of first-generation and/or economically disadvantaged Kearny High Educational and Hoover High School students who want to enroll, and succeed, in college. UB invites 50 students from Kearny High Educational Complex and 50 Hoover High School for its 6-week residential component at USD, fully-funded at no cost to program participants. Students live on campus and engage in college prep coursework, bond with college-minded peers, identify, explore, and develop their academic strengths, and immerse in and enjoy USD’s college-going culture.