Upward Bound Application (Form 594)

The Chickasaw Foundation Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math/Science programs at Murray State College (MSC) are educational programs administered by the Chickasaw Foundation and funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Education to prepare high school students for success in postsecondary education.  The first program was implemented in 1995 serving 50 students.  An additional Upward Bound program and a Math and Science Upward Bound program were added and the programs now serve 157 students in grades 9-12 in schools throughout the Chickasaw Nation.

Students must be attending a target school at the time they are accepted into the program and continue to attend school within the Chickasaw Nation service area. The following schools fall within our target area: Bray-Doyle, Davis, Dickson, Fox, Lone Grove, Madill, Marietta, Milburn, Mill Creek, Plainview, Ringling, Roff, Rush Springs, Ryan, Springer, Stonewall, Tishomingo, Thackerville, Velma-Alma, Wapanucka, Wayne and Wilson. The criteria to qualify for the programs include being either low income and/or a first generation college student, meaning neither parent has a four year bachelor's degree. The program encourages matriculation of the student body.  Each year the program selects ninth grade students to replace out-going graduating seniors.  Graduating seniors are also contacted twice during the year to track their academic progress toward obtaining a bachelor's degree.

The program consists of two components. One component is a residential summer school session.  The other component consists of academic follow up activities.  Academic advisors contact students each month to monitor academic progress and provide encouragement and support to stay in school and plan for college.  Examples of activities during the school year include trips to museums, classes at the zoo, volunteering for various events, Trio Day at the state capital, financial aid workshops, ACT preparation, tutoring and college visits.  Students also receive stipends for participation in the program.  Students in the Math and Science Upward Bound program are motivated to pursue a math or science career field.

In the summer, students experience a college setting by participating in the summer academic session on the MSC campus.  During the six-week summer program, the students are housed in a college residence hall and attend academic classes during the week.  Students are assigned to math and science classes based on their level of subject knowledge.  They also attend classes in literature and composition, zoology, biology, chemistry, physics, foreign language and various elective classes such as geography, computer science and academic/life skills.  Social and recreational activities are scheduled during the evening and may include dances, movies, swimming, bowling and many individual and team sports.   Student's free time may be spent visiting the MSC library or student union lounge.

A bridge component is also provided for graduating seniors to help bridge them over to college.  These students enroll in their first six credit hours at MSC and attend classes through the end of the summer term in July.

The final week of the program includes an out-of-state trip for each grade level for those students who successfully complete the summer program.  The agenda includes cultural, educational and fun activities that relate to the curriculum learned in the classroom.

For more information, contact:
Chickasaw Foundation Upward Bound
1 Murray Campus, Box 11
Tishomingo, OK  73460
(580) 371-9903 phone
(580) 371-9583 fax
ChickasawfndUB@chickasaw.net