Project Uplift Participant Application

Thank you for your interest in the Project Uplift and Uplift PLUS programs.

Any eligible student may apply to attend Project Uplift and Uplift PLUS. To be eligible, you must be a current high school junior and graduating in 2026. All applications must be submitted online by 5:00 pm EST on April 7th, 2025.

Please note: you must complete your application in one sitting. To submit your application, you will need to complete 2-3 short answer prompts and upload a PDF copy of your unofficial transcript. Your transcript must include grades from 9^th grade through the first half of 11^th grade. We will NOT accept grade reports, report cards, attendance reports, or progress reports. Please reach out to your guidance counselor in advance to obtain a PDF copy of your unofficial transcript.

If you have any questions please visit the Project Uplift webpage. The FAQ section may be particularly useful. If you have additional questions, please email project_uplift@unc.edu.

* Denotes required

Personal Information

First Name/Given Name

Middle Name

Last Name/Surname

Preferred First Name

Date of Birth (Month/Day/Year)

Sex

Female

Male

Gender Identity (Optional)

Do you identify as Hispanic or Latinx? (Optional)

Yes

Regardless of your answer to the prior question, please indicate how you identify yourself.
(Optional - Check all that apply)

American Indian or Alaska Native

Asian

Black or African American

Hispanic or Latino

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific

White

Contact Details

Primary Email Address (Please do not use your school email address. School email accounts often filter UNC emails to the spam or junk folders.)

Please confirm primary email

Secondary Email Address (Optional - If you have a school or parent/guardian email address you would like to include, you can list it here.)

Preferred Phone

Mobile Phone

Home Phone

Preferred Phone Number

Phone Priority (hidden - do not change)

High Priority

Normal Priority

Low Priority

Inactive

Primary Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

Education

Current or Most Recent Secondary/High School

School Name

Please provide your High School graduation year

What are your grades like?

How many Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Dual Enrollment or similar college-level course(s) will you have successfully completed by the end of your junior year?*

Transcript Upload

Please upload a .pdf copy of your most up to date unofficial transcript below.
Please combine all transcript pages into one document prior to uploading.
(Do not upload a grade report, report card, attendance report, or progress report. Those documents will not be accepted.)

Activities

For the following questions, we suggest typing your responses first using writing software (e.g.,
Microsoft Word, Google Doc), then copy and paste into the spaces below.

Please list your school and community activities and any leadership positions you have held.
(Activities may include arts, athletics, clubs, community organizations, employment, personal or family commitments and/or other pursuits.)

For Example: Varsity Football (9th-11th grade), Team Captain (Junior Year), 10 hours a week.

How has your involvement in one of the activities listed above made an impact on you and others? Limit your response to a maximum of 300 words.

Uplift PLUS

Uplift PLUS is a 2-week program for Project Uplift participants. Students will live on campus, complete an essay writing course, participate in cultural competence workshops, and engage with campus partners and offices. Uplift PLUS is only for North Carolina residents, and you must attend Project Uplift in order to participate in Uplift PLUS. If you’re offered a place in Uplift PLUS and choose to accept it, the total cost of the program is $1,200, including a $100 non-refundable deposit. Scholarships are available. Information about scholarships will be shared with students who are invited to participate.

Click here for more information

Are you interested in being considered for Uplift PLUS?

Yes

Complete the following essay questions to be considered for the Uplift PLUS Program:

What do you hope to gain from being a participant in Uplift PLUS? (100-250 words)*

Or, type or copy-and-paste your document here:

Please tell us about a background, identity, interest, or talent that is deeply important to you and has shaped who you are. (250-650 words)*

Or, type or copy-and-paste your document here:

Additional Information

The following questions help us to better understand your background and interest.

Have you previously attended any other events or programs hosted by Carolina Higher Education Opportunity Programs (CHEOP)?

Yes

Unsure

Please specify which program or event(s).

Would you be a first-generation college student? (Being a first-generation college student means that your parent(s)/guardian(s) did not complete a 4-year college or university degree.)

Yes

How did you learn about Project Uplift?

Carolina Higher Education Opportunity Programs (CHEOP)

Teacher, Counselor or Other School Official

Project Uplift or UNC-CH Alumni

Community Member

Family Member or Family Friend

Peer/Friend

Flyer

Social Media

Other

Which social media platform?

Other

Certification

I certify that the information given by me on this application is complete and accurate, and that all materials submitted as mine are entirely my own. I understand that willful misrepresentation or failure to disclose complete and accurate information may result in the disqualification of my application.

In place of your signature, please type your full legal name

Round

Round always create

Submitted

Program Year

Entry Type