Pueblo -- Colorado State University - Pueblo has been awarded nearly $900,000 to provide college preparation services to low-income, first-generation (neither parent has attained a bachelor's degree) military veterans from El Paso and Pueblo counties. The U.S. Department of Education awarded $880,000 to CSU-Pueblo over the next four years to establish a Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) Program that will provide intense academic preparation and support that will prepare veterans of the armed forces to enter and succeed in college.

In partnership with the Department of Education, Pueblo Community College, and Pikes Peak Community College, CSU-Pueblo will establish a program of academic, social, or personal support necessary for veterans to successfully complete a GED certificate and/or refresher courses resulting in admission to postsecondary education. VUB staff, who will be military veterans, will focus all resources, personnel, and planning to create a comprehensive approach to removing traditional barriers to academic success by empowering participants through all components of the VUB Project. All services will be provided to veterans at no cost, as the majority of veterans needing a GED and/or college preparation are known to be struggling economically and educationally.

VUB staff will engage in recruitment through all military bases in the service area and all veteran service organizations. Veterans who enter the program will be tested extensively to determine their educational levels in all core courses, career inventory interests and likely talents, and remedial work needed. A personal development plan will be created for all participants, and their college preparation will begin. Services to be offered will include (1) presentations, workshops, and seminars on access to higher education and support services provided by other

TRIO programs such as the Southern Colorado Educational Opportunity Center, and Student Support Services at CSU-Pueblo, and (2) remedial instruction, one-on-one as well as group tutoring, mentoring, supplemental instruction, financial aid application and loan default resolution, and scholarship searches.

"It is no accident that the University has received more than $1.5 million in grants over the past several weeks for programs that allow CSU-Pueblo to give guidance and services to students who might not otherwise consider higher education. This University is committed to access and equal opportunity, and we hope that through programs like this Upward Bound program for Veterans to bring hope and a brighter future to the citizens of Colorado," said CSU-Pueblo President Ron Applbaum.

The only existing Veterans Upward Bound Program in Colorado, at Metropolitan State College of Denver, has agreed to serve as a mentor program for this new program at CSU-Pueblo.

Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.