TRIO Veterans Upward Bound

Veterans Upward Bound provides eligible veterans and active duty service members the necessary help and tools to enter a program of post-secondary education. The program also provides veterans who do not have a high school diploma, an opportunity to prepare for the General Educational Development test (GED).

All veteran participants receive refresher training through a core curriculum of subjects that prepare them for college-level course material. Participants are also informed of various support services on many college campuses. Upon successful completion of the VUB program, the veteran participants are not only familiar with services and resources available to them as students but more importantly, they possess a renewed confidence in their academic abilities.

The Owens Community College VUB project is dedicated to the success of veterans in Northwest Ohio/Southwest Michigan through the enrollment and completion of a program of post-secondary education. Our mission is to provide veterans with the necessary tools and skills for success because for Veterans Upward Bound, the success of our veterans is the only mission that matters.

In the thick of the Civil Rights Movement, ongoing conflict in Vietnam and historically high levels of poverty, the Lyndon B. Johnson administration set in motion social reforms designed to halt the spread of poverty in America as part of his “Great Society.”

The War on Poverty focused on key contributing causes to poverty, one of which is education.

The Higher Education Act of 1965 created the US Department of Education’s TRIO programs to help historically disadvantaged and underrepresented youths have access to higher education. TRIO eventually expanded its services to include adult learners and non-traditional student populations including veterans.

Veterans Upward Bound was created in 1972 as a priority project to meet the academic needs of veterans returning from the Vietnam War.

Today, more than 65 projects are in operation providing program services to nearly 8,500 veterans every year from every war era and peacetime era since the early 1950s (Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, OIF-OEF, etc.).

• Advisement and assistance with college admission and enrollment
• Career exploration or career transition assistance
• Help with seeking employment and job opportunities
• Help with military transition into civilian workforce and/or college
• Advisement and assistance for certifications and/or licensure
• Assistance in preparing for and completing college entrance exams
• Help with “How to afford college”
• Assistance with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and information on federal and state student financial aid programs and benefits
• Applying for the VA GI-Bill^® and VA Vocational Rehabilitation program
• Assessment of your math, reading and writing skills
  • Free tutoring services in math and English available
• Evaluation of your military transcript (you may receive college credits from your military service)
• Referrals to additional college resources and local community resources
• Request transcripts—high school, other institution and/or military transcript
• Help with skill-building as applicable
• Computer skills training
• Sign up for academic, financial and career workshops
• Assistance in General Education Development (GED) completion
• Free cultural and educational trips
  • Air Force Museum Trip
  • National Veterans Museum Trip
  • 180th 9/11 Memorial Trip
• Opportunities twice a month to register to connect with other veterans (lunch provided)
• Meet with an advisor

Veterans are eligible to participate in the Veterans Upward Bound Program who meet the following criteria:

Active Duty

• Served on active duty as a member of the US Armed Forces
• Served for more than 180 days
• Discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable

OR

• Discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability (180 days does not apply)

Reserve/National Guard

• Served Reserve or NG and called to active duty for more than 30 days
• Served Reserve or NG who served less than 30 days in support of an operation under Title 10 on or after September 11, 2001

Additionally, the Veteran must meet one or both of the below:

• First-generation college student (Individual whose natural parents have not received a baccalaureate degree)
• Financial need as defined by U.S. Dept. of Education guidance 

Documents Required

The VUB program may require documentation to show the characterization or type of the military discharge (DD-214). Proof of county of residence and household income for the past year. 

Just to name a few of the other areas of assistance VUB provides are navigating the Federal VA process (i.e. GI Bill application process, VA Vocational, Rehabilitation and Education (VR&E) application process, or VA Disability Benefits), FAFSA application process, career exploration, Higher Education or Vocational Education (VoTech) school selection comparison, academic skills development, academic program research, scholarship and financial aid assistance, admissions assistance, transcript requests, financial literacy, test preparation and more.

When you begin the VUB program, you will work one-on-one with an Advisor to discuss your interests and both your short-term and long-term goals. Academic assessments may be completed to determine your strengths and weaknesses, and then a plan is developed to help you reach your goals. Any academic weaknesses can be worked on by in-person/on-line, tutoring and workshops.

Finally, we will assist you with school applications and the financial aid process. We will also help you make contacts with other agencies providing services to veterans.

Request additional information, email the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound office or call (567) 661-7300.

The answer to this question depends on several factors, including current levels of preparedness, scores on assessments and your internal drive to succeed. Some veterans may only require one or two meetings with an advisor before they prepare to enter post-secondary education, while others may need more academic tutoring/coaching before enrolling.

Ultimately, it is up to each veteran to decide when he/she is ready to enroll in the school of his/her choice. VUB helps support the veteran throughout the duration of their academic journey.

Request additional information, email the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound office or call (567) 661-7300.

Advisors can assist veterans with setting up an appointment to complete a college placement test in a school testing center. If needed, VUB tutors can help prep the veteran for the placement test. The VUB staff will help you enroll or return to college, advise you on college programs and degrees available and offer personal and career counseling with professional staff. Veterans are encouraged to return to VUB for additional help and advice throughout their college career.

Request additional information, email the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound office or call (567) 661-7300.

Feel free to call us with any questions that you might have about VUB.

Request additional information, email the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound office or call (567) 661-7300.

Definitely not, you may attend any school that you would like to within our 13-county region. We will help any qualified veteran no matter what school they plan to attend or are attending. We will help you choose the best program and school to fit your individual needs.

Request additional information, email the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound office or call (567) 661-7300.

The VUB program can aid in career counseling and can connect you with specific career development resources. Though, our primary focus are Veterans entering higher-education programs.

Request additional information, email the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound office or call (567) 661-7300.

The VUB program may require documentation to show the characterization or type of military discharge (DD-214), proof of county residency and proof of household income for the past year.

Request additional information, email the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound office or call (567) 661-7300.

You can complete the online VUB application. You can also request additional information, email the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound office or call (567) 661-7300.

To benefit from our no cost VUB program services, you must first meet a few simple eligibility requirements:

All participants must have served in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for more than 180 consecutive days and received other than a dishonorable discharge; or was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability (180 days does not apply); was a member of a reserve/national guard component of the Armed Forces called to active duty for a period of more than 30 days; or was a member of a reserve/national guard component of the Armed Forces who served on active duty in support of a contingency operation on or after September 11, 2001.

All participants should be either low-income (based on family income and number of dependents) and/or first-generation college students (neither natural parent earned a bachelor’s degree). All participants must demonstrate academic potential as well as have an academic need.

If you are not sure if you qualify, give us a call and we would be glad to explain the eligibility requirements in further detail.

Request additional information, email the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound office or call (567) 661-7300.

Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program is funded by the U. S. Department of Education, under Title IV of the Higher Education Act known as TRIO programs. VUB is a FREE college-prep program designed to help qualified military veterans prepare to enroll in a postsecondary school (university, community college and vocational/technical programs). At no cost to the veteran, VUB provides skills and advice to enable veterans to achieve their academic and career goals.

Partnering with surrounding colleges and universities, Veteran Affairs, Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) and other veteran advocacy groups, VUB is designed and tailored to meet the needs of the individual veteran in their pursuit of post-secondary education at the college of their choosing to help accomplish their career goals.

Request additional information, email the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound office or call (567) 661-7300.

Yes. Using a variety of career interest assessments, our advisors will work with you to help you determine what career field might be appropriate for you. We can also help you determine which school will best prepare you for your chosen field.

Request additional information, email the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound office or call (567) 661-7300.

Although VUB services are at no cost to qualified, the VUB program is not funded to provide financial aid for college, university or technical school.

However, VUB provides assistance navigating financial aid application processes along with the Federal VA Education benefits (i.e. GI Bill application process, VA Vocational, Rehabilitation and Education (VR&E) application process or VA Disability Benefits), third-party and school scholarships as well as identify other potential avenues of funding.

Request additional information, email the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound office or call (567) 661-7300.

VUB is a part of a group of programs called TRIO programs. These programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Education and serve low-income and first-generation college students. VUB is just one such program.

Request additional information, email the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound office or call (567) 661-7300.

The VUB program is located on the campus of Owens Community College, 30335 Oregon Road Perrysburg, OH 43551. We are in the College Hall building, Room 140.

The primary Ohio target areas for Veterans Upward Bound are in the following 13 counties: Lucas, Wood, Hancock, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, Erie, Williams, Fulton, Defiance, Henry, Paulding and Putnam.

The primary Michigan target areas for VUB are in the following three counties: Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe.

Request additional information, email the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound office or call (567) 661-7300.