Texas A&M University Kingsville

KINGSVILLE (News Release) — Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s Office of Student Access has launched its Veterans Upward Bound and is enrolling new participants in the program. Funded by a $1.4M grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the program offers veterans a chance to freshen their skills to prepare for collegiate or vocational opportunities after service.

“Our goal is to enroll veterans in the program and to help them complete a postsecondary education,” said Nelda Pierce, program director for the university’s Veterans Upward Bound. “We offer financial aid assistance and help them complete either FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or scholarship applications. We also help them with ApplyTexas if they need it, or any college application.”

The Veterans Upward Bound program was established to assist veterans in developing the academic skills they might need to be accepted to and succeed in obtaining a postsecondary education. The program provides assessment and enhancement of basic skills through counseling, mentoring, tutoring and academic instruction in core subject areas.

Part of the university’s TRIO services, the program serves veterans in six Texas counties: Kleberg, Duval, Jim Wells, Brooks, Willacy and Hidalgo.

“If there’s a veteran out there in any veteran service office that needs some kind of academic support, we partner with veteran service offices. That way, they can refer the veteran to us for any help they need,” Pierce said.

Veterans of any age in the service counties interested in beginning their college journey can tap Texas Veterans Upward Bound, which offers support and a number of services, including help with college applications, assistance with college readiness and academic enrichment workshops. The program is also available for those interested in obtaining a high school diploma or GED certificate.

“And it doesn’t necessarily have to be a four-year university,” Pierce said. “If there is a veteran that wants to go to a two-year college or to go to a trade school, we can help them with those applications as well. Our goal is to have them enroll and help them complete some type of education.”

Veterans must apply for the program, and it is free for participants with limited spaces available. For more information or to apply for Veterans Upward Bound at Texas A&M-Kingsville, visit https://www.tamuk.edu/studentaccess/vub.html.

Program Eligibility Criteria:

• Proof of military service.

• Other than a dishonorable discharge.

• US. Citizenship or Permanent Resident.

• Reside in Kleberg, Duval, Jim Wells, Brooks, Willacy and Hidalgo counties.

• Be either low-income (based on family income and number of dependents) and/or a potential first-generation college student (neither parent earned a 4-year degree).

• Must demonstrate academic potential as well as an academic need.