Veterans Upward Bound

The Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program is a pre-college program which assists veterans and military service members with enrolling in school, which can be any college or training program, not just RIT. This free program assists in all aspects of the college admissions process, including applying for and understanding financial aid benefits, providing refresher courses, one-on-one tutoring, laptop loans, and connections to local resources. The primary goal of the program is to increase the rate at which participants enroll in and complete postsecondary education programs.

VUB helps veterans and service members of all ages navigate the education system, gain access to information about college and career exploration, and improve academic skills needed for successful entry into education.

Services offered

Admissions:

  • Assistance with school applications
  • Application fees
  • Requesting transcripts, including military service transcripts

Academic Skills:

  • Preparation for placement exams
  • Refresher classes in English, math, science and foreign language
  • Workshops to improve academic skills
  • One-on-one tutoring
  • Laptop loans and computer literacy training

Financial Aid:

  • Applying for VA Education Benefits (GI Bill®, tuition assistance, etc)
  • Applying for National Guard and Reservist Benefits
  • Assistance with Financial Aid Applications and Completing a FAFSA
  • Scholarship assistance

And more:

  • Personalized needs assessment
  • Payment of most fees required for admissions applications, entrance examinations, and educational testing
  • Researching programs of study
  • Career assessments
  • Referrals to locally available resources

All VUB classes, supplies, and services are free. This is a TRiO Program, federally funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

We thank you for your service.

Eligibility

To qualify for services offered through Veterans Upward Bound, a veteran or service member must meet one of the following:

  1. Military veteran who served in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for more than 180 days and received other than a dishonorable discharge;
  2. Was discharged because of a service connected disability;
  3. A member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces called to active duty for a period of more than 30 days;
  4. Was a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces who served on active duty in support of a contingency operation on or after September 11, 2001.

This program is funded to serve those living in one of the following counties: Genesee, Jefferson, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates.

Apply for Veterans Upward Bound Services

To apply for Veterans Upward Bound Services, complete the following application form:

Apply Now

Contact

To learn more about how we can serve you, email VUB@rit.edu or contact us at 585-475-6490.

Amy Ortiz
Director of Veterans Upward Bound
910-987-8301
David Oliver
Assistant Program Director for VUB