Truman State Upward Bound

02/05/2026

The Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation has opened their 2026-2027 scholarship applications!! 🎊

High School Seniors: Apply for the Show-Me to College Scholarship — designed for Missouri students with a Student Aid Index of 12,000 or less, a 3.50+ GPA, and a strong record of community service, extracurricular involvement, and/or work experience.

Current College Students: The Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship is open! For students who lead with character, service, and academic excellence on Missouri campuses and in their communities.

High School Freshmen: Apply for MyMO, which is now open for current 9th graders from low‑income backgrounds who want to join a guided cohort designed to help them save, prepare, and plan for college. Students who stay engaged through high school and meet the program requirements can earn a $10,000 promise scholarship to attend a Missouri college.

Start your application for any of these programs at moslf.org/programs.aspx

📅 Applications close March 2 (MyMO) and April 1 (Show-Me and Purdy)

10/31/2025

Final call 🚨The Priority Deadline is Tonight!

If you’ve been thinking about applying to Upward Bound, this is your moment. Free college prep. Real support. Big opportunities.
👉ub.truman.edu

10/28/2025

🎃 The DEAD-line is creeping closer… so we extended it to October 31st!
Don’t ghost your future — apply to Upward Bound before it’s too late 👻

👉 Apply now: ub.truman.edu


Adair Co R-I
Milan C-2 Schools
Macon County R-1 School District
Westran R1
Moberly High School
Putnam County R-1 Schools
La Plata R-II High School
Knox County R-I School District
Schuyler R-1 School District
Kirksville High School

10/27/2025

If you were waiting for a sign to apply for Upward Bound this week…
This. Is. It. 🎯

Tutoring, mentoring, college visits, summer programs — all free.
Apply today → ub.truman.edu



Adair Co R-I
Milan C-2 Schools
Macon County R-1 School District
Westran R1
Moberly High School
Putnam County R-1 Schools
La Plata R-II High School
Knox County R-I School District
Schuyler R-1 School District
Kirksville High School

10/21/2025

One week left. You in? 👀
Apply for Upward Bound before it’s too late!

ub.truman.edu

La Plata R-II High School
Adair Co R-I
Knox County R-I School District
Macon County R-1 School District
Milan C-2 Schools
Putnam County R-1 Schools
Moberly High School
Westran R1
Schuyler R-1 School District
Kirksville R-3 School District

10/15/2025

UB is wrapping up informational meetings at target schools this week and application review begins in just 2 weeks! This short slideshow explains the application process in case you weren't able to attend. Don't miss this opportunity! Applications are available at ub.truman.edu or from your high school counselor.

10/13/2025

College dreams? Let’s make them happen. 🚀
Upward Bound is taking applications! Get tutoring, mentoring, and college prep — all for free.

Apply today at ub.truman.edu

09/17/2025

There was a segment about TRIO Programs - Upward Bound in particular - last week on Good Morning America. Just in case you didn't catch it, here is the link.

"GMA" examines a federal initiative that has long provided opportunities for disadvantaged students nationwide but now faces potential threats.SUBSCRIBE to G...

02/28/2025

Happy Friday, UB! We are so excited to tell you the story of Sam & Brandi! ❤

Both Brandi and Sam attended Knox County High School and while they were never able to do Upward Bound together, Sam was the one who talked Brandi into joining after he had huge success with the program. Brandi also had a lot of success with her time at UB and even came back for a summer to work as a mentor.

Their favorite memories during UB include Sam bringing Brandi flowers during visiting time during Upward Bound's summer session. Individually, Brandi loved learning weightlifting through her summer interest group (something her and Sam do together now)! She also enjoyed teaching students how to play disc golf while she was a mentor. Sam's favorite memory was playing his jazz piano solo during the Variety Show. To this day, they still talk about the mac and cheese pizza from Ryle Hall! 🍕

After Upward Bound, the lovebirds went to Missouri S&T where Sam graduated with a B.S. in Geological Engineering and Brandi a B.S. in Engineering Management. They would get married on September 21, 2024, where the Associate Director of UB attended! 💍

Their advice for students is to communicate every little thing no matter how little you think it is. Make every decision understanding how it will affect each other and remember it’s both against the world - not each other. You have to have hard times to appreciate the good.

They would also like to add how they both saw the potential in each other and helped each other excel because of the program and have been together over 8 years. They met their goals of a college degree and found each other along the way. They've built their life and continue to grow every day.

02/28/2025

Earlier this week, Upward Bound students embarked on a trip to sunny Oklahoma to visit colleges! Our journey included visits to and tours of Northeastern State University and Rogers State University. Students also learned about and practiced traditional pottery techniques by making a pinch pot, as well as learning about the rich history and culture of the United Keetowah Band of the Cherokee at the John Hair Cultural Center and Museum.

02/20/2025

What better way to warm your heart during these frigid temperature than to share another UB Lovin' Me story from Lisa & Mike Roberts!! 🥰

Mike and Lisa both worked for UB during the early 90's. Lisa served during summer academy as a hall counselor, math and swim instructor, and even worked with Bridge. Mike was also a hall counselor and taught the interest group for outdoor adventures during the summer and tutored during the academic year.

These two lovebirds would get together during the summer of 1991 when Lisa won tickets through a local radio station to a Steve Winwood concert in St. Louis. Though Lisa had asked the other counselors she knew better to go with her, none were available to go. Mike, however, had just been talking to his friend that morning about how he would love to see Steve Winwood in concert - so he uncharacteristically volunteered to go. After the concert they came back to Kirksville to join all the other counselors in seeing the new "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" movie. 🎥🎤

Mike and Lisa married on July 25, 1992, the summer after that concert . They adopted two lab puppies: a yellow one named Winwood (for Steve Winwood) and a black one named Locksley (because Robin Hood is also known as Robin of Locksley). Eventually, they had two children, Kaitlin and Brayden, and became teachers in the Kansas City area. Both are looking forward to retiring at the end of the school year and making plans to travel more! 💍

Thank you for sharing your story, Mike and Lisa! ❤

02/14/2025

Happy Valentine's Day! 🥰 We are so excited to share our first UB Lovin' Me story from Hannah & Brendon Howdeshell!!

Hannah was attending high school at Green City and Brenden at Knox County, when they both met while completing the 2011 Upward Bound Summer Session. Their love story began in Ms. Crider's Journalism class that summer and Brendon got in the habit of offering Hannah a stick of gum every morning.🖋

Their favorite memory of Upward Bound is the time spent hanging out and chatting on the BNB steps after morning classes concluded. Brendon continued on to Upward Bound's Bridge Program after high school graduation so they were still able to enjoy meals together during Hannah's last summer in UB.

They maintained their relationship long distance for a while, until Brendon transferred to Northwest State University. Hannah and Brendon both graduated in 2017 and two years later, married in Edina on October 26th! 💍

For UBers, their advice is to always take the time to slow down and appreciate each other ❤️

Though Hannah and Brendon mentioned they are extremely thankful for UB as part of their love story, we want to thank them for sharing it with us! Happy Valentine's Day to Hannah and Brendon Howdeshell!🎉