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 serves high school students from low-income families, high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelors degree, and low-income, first-generation military veterans who are preparing to enter postsecondary education. The history of TRIO is progressive. It began with Upward Bound, which emerged out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in response to the administration's War on Poverty. In 1965, Talent Search, the second outreach program, was created as part of the Higher Education Act. In 1968, Student Support Services, which was originally known as Special Services for Disadvantaged Students, was authorized by the Higher Education Amendments and became the third in a series of educational opportunity programs. By the late 1960's, the term TRIO was coined to describe these federal programs. Over the years, the TRIO Programs have been expanded and improved to provide a wider range of services and to reach more students who need assistance.

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 serves high school students from low-income families, high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelors degree, and low-income, first-generation military veterans who are preparing to enter postsecondary education

The CSULB Upward Bound Program offers its services to students year-round. The program is broken up into two major components plus special events: Academic Year: Twenty-week Saturday instructional/tutorial program Summer Session: Six-week summer residential program Yearly Events: Special events held for Upward Bound participants Both the academic and summer components are designed to assist participants in successfully matriculating to postsecondary education. Curriculum emphasis is placed on reading, mathematics, laboratory sciences, composition & literature, computer application and foreign language. Centered in the areas of study skills development, career planning, health education, physical education and multiculturalism will be supplemental instruction and workshops. Instruction and tutorials will also focus on PSAT, SAT, and ACT test preparation, skills which are necessary for college admission. Additionally, career exploration, work experience, and mentoring will be an integral component to assist participants in deciding on potential college majors and career options.