Membership Application

Perks of Membership

All things considered, participating in PUB throughout high school equals receiving a “Service Scholarship” valued at almost $20,000. The greatest reward is that Upward Bound participants are four times more likely to earn bachelor’s degrees (Council for Opportunity in Education) than those who don’t participate in Upward Bound. The 2025 census data show that individuals with a bachelor’s degree earn about $31,000 more per year ($2,600 more per month) than an adult whose education ends with a high school diploma.

Potential PUB advantages:

Attend and receive a regular stipend.
Earn elective credit during the Summer Academy
Achieve improved Grade Point Average and SAT Scores
Develop new skills in PUB’s Leadership Development Institute
Become a PUB Junior Peer Mentor, Junior Academic Mentor, or Student Council Officer
Attend state, regional, and national Student Leadership Conferences
Earn honors, awards, and a multi-night trip in the PUB Summer Academy
Access to University Resources: science labs, Rec Center, Technology, Housing, etc.
TRIO Resources: Scholarship competitions, Alumni Network, adult TRIO Programs
Testing and admission fee waivers
Academic Year Book Scholarship for alumni who choose to attend Oakland University

Online Membership Application

Online Applicant Essay

PUB Day at OU Survey (Complete only if you spent the day on campus with PUB)

Minimum Prerequisites

Be at least age 13 at the time of admission
Have completed grade 8 at the time of admission
Have at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA on a regular curriculum track
Live in Pontiac or Royal Oak Township regardless of the school you attend OR
Be enrolled in Pontiac, or Oak Park, or Pontiac Academy for Excellence School Districts regardless of where you live

Best Time to Apply

High school students may apply at any time, but the best time for high school students to apply is August, September, and October. This will position them to participate in the current academic year and the following residential Summer Academy.

The best time for 8th graders to apply is January, February, and March. This will position them to participate in the Summer Academy Ramp Up cohort following middle school graduation.

How to Apply

If you are unsure whether you want to apply, fill out a Contact Form and a PUB Team Member will be glad to answer whatever questions we can (see FAQs tab).
If you know you want to apply, complete and submit this Online Membership Application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after I apply?
When a complete application packet is submitted, a preliminary determination is made regarding eligibility. If the application meets at least one eligibility requirement, the applicant and parent/guardian may be invited for an interview. Within a designated period after the interview, the applicant and parent/guardian are informed by telephone and in writing of the outcome of their application process.

Is admission based on a certain income?
Income is not, by itself, a deciding factor. All possible eligibility factors are considered when evaluating an application.

What if a student is in a foster situation?
Students in foster care automatically meet the income guideline due to their court ward status.

When are new students admitted?
See "Best Time to Apply"

Who can live on campus?
Current PUB Scholars who have been active during the academic year are eligible to live on campus during Summer Academy. Students who do not apply until their senior year will graduate from high school before they have a chance to live on campus. New students admitted from September 1 through December 31 and who are active in PUB’s academic year services for at least 60 days are also eligible to be a part of PUB’s residential Summer Academy. PUB Scholars may enroll in the Summer Academy more than one time.

Is PUB just for the summer?
PUB is a year-round, multi-year program. When students are admitted (usually in grades 9 or 10), they are expected to remain active through grade 12. Students are expected to spend at least one summer on campus, but are welcome to spend more if space allows.

Why should I spend the summer on campus instead of working?
You have about 45 years of your life ahead of you when you will have to work. While you have this opportunity, get a preview of what it's like to be a residential college student. Meet credit recovery requirements if needed. Be surrounded by mentors. Make lifelong friends. Get exposed to new experiences, including travel.

Can I work and be in PUB?
Students who manage their time well can do both. PUB has live and virtual options that help PUB Scholars meet PUB requirements. At orientation and on our website, an entire academic year schedule is provided; so we ask that PUB Scholars arrange their work schedules at times that do not conflict with PUB activities.

Can I be in PUB and other extracurricular activities?
This is another opportunity for PUB to help with developing good time management skills. PUB will work with PUB Scholars to negotiate schedules whose activities do not conflict. We don't want any student to be denied opportunities.

What if I were in PUB and stopped coming?
When PUB Scholars don’t attend services, they do not receive a stipend. PUB Scholars who stop participating also jeopardize their book scholarship if they decide later to enroll at Oakland University. PUB Scholars who “stop out” and decide they want to become active again should submit this Readmission Form to request membership reactivation.

Project Upward Bound

Vandenberg Hall, Room 120
502 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester , Michigan 48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 370-3218
Fax: (248) 370-3217
[email protected]
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Extended hours on select Saturdays (see schedule) or call for an appointment