VUB Photo Banner
Veterans Upward Bound at WKU

Frequently Asked Questions

(text file of this document)


 

What is Veterans Upward Bound (VUB)?
Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) is a federally funded TRIO program designed to help qualified military veterans prepare to enroll in a postsecondary school.

 

What is TRIO?
TRIO programs serve people of varying ages and educational levels.  VUB is just one such program funded by the U.S. Department of Education.  Other TRIO programs at WKU include:

  • Student Support Services (SSS)
  • Upward Bound (UB)
  • Educational Talent Search (ETS)
  • Equal Opportunity Center (EOC)

Other TRIO programs not housed at WKU, but available elsewhere include:

  • UB Math/Science Initiatives
  • McNair Post-baccalaureate Graduate Program
  • TRIO Training Project

For more information about the TRIO programs, see the national TRIO website at  http://www.coenet.us//ecm/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home . 

 

How do I contact the Veteran’s Upward Bound (VUB) program?
You may e-mail us at veterans.upward.bound@wku.edu, call us at (270) 745-5310, write us at Veterans Upward Bound, Western Kentucky University, 1906 College Heights Blvd. #11098, Bowling Green, KY. 42101-1098 or look at our web site at http://www.wku.edu/vub .

 

A teaching moment in the evening classHow do/What must I do to qualify for VUB?
Anyone who wishes to benefit from our FREE educational services must first meet a few simple eligibility requirements.

  • All participants must have at least 180 days of active service with better than a dishonorable discharge.

  • Those with less than 180 days may be eligible if they have a medical discharge

  • Reservists are eligible if they have more than 180 days active service shown on a DD214 and if they served after 9/11

  • National Guard are eligible if they have the correct active service time and a DD 214

  • All participants must be either low-income (based on federal income charts) or potential first generation college students (neither parent earned a baccalaureate degree).

  • All participants must live within our service area, which surrounds Bowling Green and Warren County.

All participants must demonstrate academic potential as well as have academic need. Not all students have the same needs, and that's ok. Some students require developmental course work, while others need more help with cutting through university red tape. For more information on specific services provided by VUB, see http://www.wku.edu/vub.

 

When I provide information to Veterans Upward Bound, is it shared with other people?
We share that information with the people who are necessary to get you enrolled in school.  Our records are kept under lock-and-key when we are not using them. We never sell any information to companies for their contact lists.

 

The evening class listens to the teacher.What classes are offered in Veterans Upward Bound?
Academic refresher classes are available in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Foreign Language, and Computer Word Processing.

Does the program have a flexible schedule?
Classes are taught at the following times: MONDAY and WEDNESDAY 8:30 - 11:00 am, TUESDAY and THURSDAY 8:30 - 11:00 am ,1:00 - 3:30 pm, or 5:00 - 7:30 pm.

 

Can I take VUB classes online?
We are currently designing this opportunity.  Call us at (270) 745-5310 to see if the online option is available when you read this.

 

Can Veterans Upward Bound help me apply for school?
Yes.  Other services provided by VUB include information and assistance with admissions, financial aid, and career selection for your prospective institution.

 

What about admissions fees?
Veterans Upward Bound has agreements with WKU and some other schools to use application fee waivers for needy participants.  Note:  We will not provide this fee if you choose to attend school before your work in VUB shows that you are academically read.

 

Do I have to have a declared major when I begin? 
Not really but we strongly suggest it so you do not take unnecessary classes that might extend your time in college and coast you extra dollars.  You may need to have a declared major early in your schedule at WKU if you receive VA benefits. Regular financial aid does not require it so long as you make satisfactory progress toward graduation.

 

Does VUB provide financial aid?
No.  Although all services, including our academic refresher classes, are free to qualified students, we do not provide financial aid for college, university or technical school.  We can, however, help you with the financial aid application process, as well as putting you in contact with the appropriate financial aid officials at your prospective school. 

 

I cannot remember if I had the ACT or my ACT was low?  Is there anything I can do through Veterans Upward Bound?
VUB helps participants prepare for the ACT and pays for one ACT test per participant.

 

Can VUB help me choose a career or school?
Yes.    Using the COPS career interest inventory, our coordinator/counselor can work with you to help determine what career field might be appropriate for you.  Our coordinator/counselor can also help you determine which school will best prepare you for your chosen field.

 

Can VUB help me find a job?
No.  While we do not offer career placement services, we do offer career counseling and resume development.
 

A student catches up on his reading.Does Veterans Upward Bound provide anything else for students?
VUB sometimes has field trips, makes tickets to certain events available to participants, holds open houses for participant and their significant others, and has a awards banquet in the late spring each year.

 

Where is Veterans Upward Bound Located?
The VUB program has its own dedicated classroom with its own computer lab. The classroom is adjacent to the VUB office in Jones-Jaggers Hall room 129 and has its own private hall and outside doors.

 

Do Veteran's Upward Bound (VUB) classes cost anything to attend?
NO! All VUB classes and supplies are free to qualified veterans.

 

How long should I plan on being in VUB classes before I am ready to go on to a postsecondary school?
The answer to this question depends on several factors, including your high school preparedness, your VUB assessment test scores and your internal drive to succeed.  Do not shortchange yourself by planning to be in VUB for just a few weeks.  While some students may only require minimal work, others will want to attend classes for a longer period of time.  Participants work at their own pace and it takes people different amounts of time to complete the program depending on how much academic work must be accomplished. The staff can advise you as to how long you might want to spend in our classes. The staff will also advise you when they feel you are ready to move on. Generally participants stay from 6-12 months.

 

Is there any out-processing I must do when I leave VUB?
We need every participant to take a post-test before they leave so we can measure progress to prove to the government we are doing our job so they will keep funding us.  This should take about an hour.  See the Counselor for an appointment.

 

Do I have to buy a parking permit to park on campus when I am in Veterans Upward Bound?
No.  At this time VUB provides complimentary permits, one day at a time, for our participants to use when they are visiting our office or classroom.

 

Teacher and student using the computer.I'm already in college or voc/tech school.  Can I benefit from VUB?
No.  Our regulations prohibit us from serving any student who is already enrolled at a postsecondary school.  Some schools, including WKU, have another TRIO program -- Student Support Services -- which specifically serves students already enrolled. Unofficially you can come to VUB but stipends and services that cost money are not available.  But, our classroom and computers are available if you need them when classes are not in session.  You can officially come back to VUB between semesters if you still need some brush-up work.

 

Do I have to attend Western Kentucky University after I complete Veterans Upward Bound?
Now.  We hope you will but you may choose any college, vocational, or technical school you wish.  We will still help you with the enrollment process.

 

Can Veterans Upward Bound help me with other VA concerns?
We are not VA counselors but now and then we might have an answer for you.  If not, we will do our dead level best to refer you to someone who can help you.

 

Can I invite other veterans like my friends or family to join VUB? 
ABSOLUTELY! Please do.  We are always looking for more veterans to serve.

 

If I have to leave the area, can I go to another VUB program.
If this is needed, contact us and we will help you see if there is a Veterans Upward Bound Program where you plan to move.  If there is an available program, we will refer you to them in hopes of helping you be accepted there.  Go to this link to see where other programs currently exist.  Look at the Program Locator at the top left of the page.  http://navub.org/

 

Can I work for VUB while I am in school?
If you qualify for VA benefits you might be eligible to work for us part-time.  You must talk to the VA certifying officer on campus and then go through an interview with us.  We are only allowed by the VA to have two student works at any time.  Your pay comes from the VA, not from VUB.

 

When I graduate from school, is it possible for me to work for VUB full-time?
VUB gives some preference to former participants if you meet the job description requirements but you must still compete with all the other applicants at the time of the opening.  This is a rule of the campus.  Job announcements at WKU can be found at  http://www.wku.edu/hr/AAAweb/employment.htm.  We are not allowed to take applications in our office,  They must all be submitted online through WKU.

 

I have a question not answered on this page.  What should I do?
More information about VUB can be found on the VUB Fact Sheet (a .pdf file).  If you'd like to request information about VUB, please see our information request form.  If you can't find the answers you're looking for on this page or elsewhere on our site, feel free to e-mail us at Veterans.Upward.Bound@WKU.edu with any question you have. 


 

VUB is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education (Fiscal Year 07-08: $278,881). The opinions expressed on this website do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of either the U.S. Department of Education or Western Kentucky University, and no official endorsement should be inferred.