Overview

APPLE UB is a federally funded Upward Bound (TRIO) program that serves students in Independence, Jackson, Sharp, and Stone Counties. The purpose of the project is to increase the number of high school graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds (as defined by the federal government, low-income and/or potential first-generation college students) who enter college and persist to become college graduates.

APPLE UB currently serves 87 students from Batesville, Cave City, Cedar Ridge, Midland, Mountain View, Newport, Southside, and Tuckerman High Schools during each project year.

APPLE UB provides a variety of academic and personal services to its participants (at no cost), including the following:

• Tutoring in school subject areas
• Individual academic advising and monitoring of performance in high school coursework
• Study skills training
• Educational enrichment activities, cultural exhibits, performances, films, lectures, etc.
• Peer discussion activities
• Individual counseling in regard to personal needs, goal setting, etc.
• ACT test preparation workshops and payment of registration fees (Juniors and Seniors)
• Educational/cultural field trips (Summer Session)
• College-preparatory and college-credit classes (Summer)
• Residential college experience (Summer)
• Tours of college campuses
• Assistance with financial aid applications and admissions applications (Seniors)
• Transportation to and from campus for all sessions and events
• Small weekly stipend
• Meals in the College's dining hall during all scheduled activities

APPLE UB participants are held to a high standard of expectations in regard to academic and personal success. Some of those expectations are outlined below:

• Students are expected to treat all others and themselves with respect at all times. We refer to this as our No Discount Policy.
• Students are expected to strive to improve their academic performance in their high school coursework and to improve their GPA each school term in order to prepare for college enrollment.
• Students are expected to attend all sessions during the school year unless they are prevented from doing so by illness, family circumstances, or a scheduled school activity.
• Students are expected to attend at least one summer session during the course of their participation in APPLE UB.

Students are expected to adhere to all Project policies as described in the Student Handbook. APPLE UB is an opportunity program, and as such may dismiss any student who is not demonstrating that he or she is receiving benefit from project services.

Eligibility

An individual is eligible to participate in APPLE UB if he or she:

1. Meets the following citizenship/residency guidelines:

a) Is a citizen or national of the United States, or
b) Is a permanent resident of the United States, or
c) Is a permanent resident of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or
d) Has provided evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service that he or she is in the United States for other than a temporary purpose with the intention of becoming a citizen or permanent resident; and

2. Meets at least one of the following criteria at the time of initial selection:

a) Is a potential first generation college student (neither parent has a bachelor's degree or higher), and/or
b) Is a low-income individual as defined by the U.S. Department of Education guidelines; and/or
c) Is an individual who has a high risk for academic failure as defined by the U.S. Department of Education guidelines; and
 

3. Has a need for the services provided by APPLE UB; and

4. Is enrolled in high school as follows:

a) Has completed the 8th grade and not yet entered the 12th grade and
b) Is enrolled in a high school being served by this program (Batesville, Cave City, Cedar Ridge, Midland, Mountain View, Newport, Southside, or Tuckerman).