The Bridge Program is designed to provide TRiO Upward Bound high school graduating seniors an opportunity to complete six college credit courses. These credits are taken during the summer at Bloomsburg University and in most cases can be transferred to the university the student will be enrolled during the fall. The TRiO Upward Bound program pays all summer fees for Bridge students. These include tuition, room, board, health, equipment, recreation and other fees pertaining to tuition.

In order to qualify for the Bridge Program a student must complete a Bridge application. Students are selected for the program based on the following criteria:

• Attendance at center meetings & home school
• Attendance at other required TRiO Upward Bound events
• Completion of senior surveys
• Completion of all required TRiO Upward Bound forms
• Be in good academic and social standing at high school and TRiO Upward Bound
• Maintain a 2.5 GPA in all academic courses
• Submit at least 3 college applications by December 31st of their senior year
• Take the SAT by December 31st of their senior year

In addition to attending classes during the Bridge summer, students will meet on a regular basis with an TRiO Upward Bound staff member in a Personal Development group (PD). Discussions will revolve around such topics as who to go to for assistance, test-taking strategies, surviving the freshman year, stress management and relaxation.

Workshops presented by university personnel will include time management, how to schedule, what faculty members really want, test anxiety, campus safety, and getting involved in extracurricular activities.

Bridge students may also sign up for elective classes offered by the TRiO Upward Bound staff. Those non-credit classes may include chorus, drama, sign language, diversity, swimming, volleyball and more.

Bridge students will live in the same residence hall as the other TRiO Upward Bound students. They will also participate in group meetings, activities and field trips. They will have some different rules to follow that will allow them a bit more freedom as a way to prepare them for the choices offered in college. Those rules are: a later curfew, no lights out, being allowed off campus unsupervised, and being permitted in other residence halls. However, Bridge students are bound by the rules and regulations of Bloomsburg University at all times.