During the academic year, students attend activities on Saturdays and after school at either their target school or the program site. From its inception, Upward Bound has been successful in mobilizing community resources in an effort to provide services to program participants. The support of NYU, the New York City Board of Education, and a broad array of supports and liaisons with community organizations, local colleges, and Independent Living Centers are instrumental in the program's success. In 1992, Upward Bound expanded the base of students it serves to include non-disabled high school students from Staten Island who were previously not being served by any such program because of geographical isolation. All students must meet the low income, first generation eligibility requirements for Upward Bound.
Recruitment is conducted at the start of each school year to fill available openings.
Once the program is full, applicants are placed on a waiting list.