Thanks to a $1.3 million grant recently awarded to Del Mar College (DMC) by the U.S. Department of Education, military veterans in the Coastal Bend are able to pursue a college education. In fact, more than 39,000 veterans in Aransas, Kleberg, Nueces and San Patricio counties may be eligible for the Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program.
Through the VUB program, eligible veterans can receive free assistance with:
- Preparedness and funding for college admission tests, such as the Texas Success Initiative
- Refresher classes in subjects like Math, Science, English, Writing and Foreign Languages
- College or University entrance applications
- Applications for financial aid
- Academic advice and mentoring services
Whether at a two-year college, four-year university or vocational/technical school, veterans can use these resources wherever they choose to pursue their education.
To be eligible for the program, veterans must:
- Have at least 180 days of active duty service or qualifying reserve time (certain exceptions apply)
- Possess a discharge other than dishonorable
- Meet at least one of the following criteria: Low income guidelines, be a first-generation college student (neither parent completed a four-year degree) or lack academic preparedness.
Questions regarding criteria or eligibility should be directed to the VUB program office, which is located in Health Sciences Building 2, Room 206, on DMC’s West Campus at Old Brownsville and Airport Roads.
For more information, call (361) 698-2643 or 2642 or email dkrupa@delmar.edu <mailto:dkrupa@delmar.edu>.
VUB is one of eight federal TRIO programs that are designed to identify and provide services for people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
