Eligibility

Eligibility for Veterans Upward Bound is determined by two factors: the Department of Education's guidelines and our program's discretion.

​If you do not qualify for VUB based on the qualifications listed below, we encourage you to reach out to us to learn about your other options, referrals we can make on your behalf, and non-participant ways the program can assist you. 
 

Basic Qualifications

Discharge Status
Eligibility for VUB depends on a discharge other than dishonorable. This includes discharges for service-related disabilities and general discharges.

Education Level
A pre-college program in nature, eligibility for VUB requires that participants do not already hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Participants are still eligible if they have received an Associate's Degree or Certificate.

Current Enrollment
Applicants and participants must not be currently enrolled in a degree-seeking college program at the time of intake. However, veterans may be accepted with a future start date.

Residency
Applicants must live in or be referred by a provider within our coverage area, which includes the following counties and cities: Suffolk, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, & Plymouth Counties, in addition to City of Worcester.
VUB is required to ensure that two-thirds of our participants are both First-Generation and Limited-Income (FGLI).
If you are not FGLI you may still be eligible. You do not need to meet all below requirements in order to participate in the program.

First-Generation Student
A first-generation student fulfills all of the following requirements:​
  • Parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) had not completed a 4-year degree from an American college or university (note: step-parents with degrees do not count against first-generation status)

Low-Income
Low-income status is determined by size of family unit according to the Department of Education. Currently, the income threshold for a family unit of one (1) is $22,590/year. 
*For family units greater than one, please reach out.

You can determine your threshold by following this link to the DOE website. 

Length of Service

At-Academic Risk
Veterans must have served:
  • > 180 days of Active Duty service
  • > 30 days of Active Duty as part of the Reserve Forces
  • On or after 9/11/2001 as part of a Reserve Forces contingency operation
"Academic risk" is a broad category that encompasses all difficulties a veteran may face when attempting to complete a post-secondary educational program. 

It includes, but is not limited to:
  • >5 years since last educational pursuit
  • Disability and/or mental health complications
  • Learning disorders
  • Previous withdrawal from / failure of a postsecondary program

Qualifying For VUB is the First Step Toward Advancing Your Education.

Step 2? Applying to our program!
​Applications are entirely online and accepted year-round. 

Our commitment to veterans:

Veterans Upward Bound, Massachusetts, is committed to serving veterans from all branches of the United States military service, regardless of race, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation. Veterans from all conflicts, deployments, and operations are welcome. 

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