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Veterans Upward Bound (VUB)

TRIO Veterans Upward Bound

Veterans Upward Bound staff are dedicated to fully developing the personal potential of all U.S. military veterans by improving and extending educational access and opportunities to eligible veterans through academic needs assessment, instruction, enrichment and other academic support activities.

Veterans Upward Bound is part of The Federal TRIO Programs funded through the U.S. Department of Education. TRIO Veterans Upward Bound is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Division of Special Services, Title IV, Higher Education Act.

What is Veterans Upward Bound?

Veterans Upward Bound is a no-cost program designed specifically to serve the needs of today’s veterans. VUB offers a unique range of services to prepare participants for renewing their formal education, whether at a two-year college, four-year university or a vocational/technical school. All services are provided free of charge, including instruction, advising, textbooks and supplies.

Metropolitan Community College Veterans Upward Bound serves veterans in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge and Washington counties. Our office is located on the Metropolitan Community College, South Omaha Campus in the Center For Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) building, room 100Q.

When may I start?

We encourage you to begin as soon as possible! Our goal is to prepare you to begin or return to school. The ideal time to start your VUB program is at least one term before you intend to enroll in classes.

Who is Eligible?

To benefit from the free educational services offered by VUB, veterans must meet a few simple eligibility requirements.

Participants must be:

  1. Veterans with a least 180 days of active duty service, or if less than 180 days, must be discharged or released because of a service connected disability, or
  2. A member of a reserve component of the US Armed Forces called to active duty for a period of more than 30 days, or a member of a reserve component of the US Armed Forces who served on active duty in support of a contingency operation on or after September 11, 2001.

 Veterans who meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Meet federal low-income guidelines

  • A potential first-generation college student (neither of your parents completed a four-year college degree

  • Are a veteran at risk of academic failure

What type of services are provided?

The services provided by the VUB program are:

Academic Preparation:

  • Assessment of academic skills

  • Academic refresher courses      

    • Math

    • Literature

    • Laboratory Science

    • Foreign Language (Spanish)

    • Composition

    • Computer Skills

    • Reading                         

Other Services:

  • Assistance completing college admission forms

  • Personal academic advising and career counseling

  •  Assist with Military Education Benefits

  • Assistance completing financial aid applications and finding scholarships

  • Career guidance and planning

  • Cultural field trips and college visits

  • Tutoring and mentoring

  • Referrals to other community agencies serving veterans 

  • ​Scholarship search

Sponsored Activities

VUB Activities Include:

  • Cultural events

  • Academic boot camp

  • FAFSA completion night

  • Veterans parade

From combat to graduation icon

VUB is a TRIO Program funded by the U.S. Department of Education under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

To be considered for participation in the VUB Program please complete and submit an application.

Contact Us:

Metropolitan Community College
South Omaha Campus, CAM Bldg., Rm 100Q
2909 Edward Babe Gomez Avenue
Omaha, NE  68107
P:  531-MCC-4718
vub@mccneb.edu
Director:  James Hawthrone, III
Outreach Specialist:  Aaron Lor