Become a Participant

• Be a US citizen or permanent resident.
• Attend Maryville, King City, Stanberry, Northeast Nodaway, Union Star, Nodaway-Holt, Rock Port, Tarkio, Fairfax, and/or West Nodaway Public Schools district.
• Be in the 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade.
• Demonstrate a desire and ability to succeed in high school, as well as pursue and finish a post-secondary degree or certification.

Also, students should meet at least one of the following:

• Meet income guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Be a first-generation college student (neither parent or guardian the student lives with has a four-year degree).
• Show Academic Need (scored basic or below on state assessments in reading, language arts, or math; not successfully completed pre-algebra by the beginning of 10th grade; GPA 2.5 or below for the most recent school year).

Download the Application Form

Download and complete the application form.

Participant Application 

General Application

• Are all appropriate fields filled completely?
• Did you complete all sections and provide signatures where required?

Personal Statement

• Did you complete your personal statement in the exact format requested?
• Did you answer all required questions?
• Did you write all three paragraphs?

Financial Information

If your parents/guardians filed a 2024 income tax return: 

• Did you include a copy with your application or provide the household’s adjusted gross income on the application? 
• If not included, was it emailed to UB.NWMSU@gmail.com or mailed to: 
  • Upward Bound Office
    2nd Floor, Owens Library
    800 University Dr.
    Maryville, MO 64468 

If your parents/guardians did not file a income tax return: 

• Did you include a signed statement explaining they did not file and summarizing your family's financial situation? 

Required Signatures & Forms

Did your parents/guardians complete and sign all required sections?

• Consent for Medical Treatment
• Media Release Form
• Waiver of Liability Agreement (Northwest Missouri State University)

Recommendations

Applicants must also ask their school counselor and a faculty/teacher to complete a recommendation form.

Final Steps

Did you save a copy of your complete application for your records?

If the answer is "yes" to all of these, you are ready to submit your application! You may turn all application supporting documents (Tax documents) to your high school’s school counselor OR send it directly to the Northwest Missouri State University TRIO Upward Bound Office at 2nd Floor Owens Library, 800 University Drive, Maryville, MO 64468.

When should you apply? 

The Upward Bound application is available starting in the Fall of each Academic year and is due by the end of the Fall Trimester (if student recruitment numbers have not been met, applications may be accepted in the spring semester). Have questions before you apply? You can request information from our team. 

Note: All applicants must also attend at least one field tutoring and one Saturday Academy to complete participant application. A bus schedule is available to assist in transportation to the Northwest campus.