Veteran Darrell Chambers sums up his feelings this way: “You may have known the skills, but time caused you to forget. You need somewhere you can go to get help.”

Such a place exists at Austin Peay State University. Veterans Upward Bound, a program funded by the Department of Education, has been preparing veterans for the rigors of academic coursework since its inception in 1989. Now located in the McReynolds Building at APSU, the program helps veterans refresh their skills at their own pace.

In this individualized instruction environment, an instructor is present in the classroom to explain the textbook, give examples, work problems and score quizzes. According to participant Myra Telsede, “VUB has a staff that truly loves teaching and is always there to help.”

“Veterans Upward Bound has helped me get over the fear of learning,” says Stilton Kidd. “I always had this notion that I was too old to go back to school.”

David J. Johnson says, “The VUB program has given me back the initiative to see that I am still able to learn and achieve. At this point in my life, I feel the need to advance, and this program is an essential building block.”

“VUB gets veterans used to the school environment,” Danny Fuson adds. “Some vets have been away from studies for many years.”

“VUB gives me the understanding of English punctuation and math problems that I didn’t learn in high school,” says participant Patricia Davis.

Veteran Mark Remini agrees: “VUB provided me with the necessary skills that I forgot or was never taught. Let’s face it, there is a big difference in high school math classes now compared to 25 years ago.” Remini, now enrolled at APSU, looks back at his experience at VUB with positive memories. “The program is exactly what veterans who have remained absent from higher learning environments need. The staff does an excellent job teaching and assisting. In most cases they make learning fun.”

A few unforeseen advantages spill over into VUB participants’ lives as they review the basics. Dedrick Money remarks, “The program has even taught me exactly what I needed to help my fourth-grade daughter better understand fractions.”

If you are a veteran who is interested in VUB, call (931) 221-7600 for further information and directions to the office in Room 212 of the McReynolds Building on the APSU campus. You will need to bring along the member copy of your DD214 and your most recent 1040 tax forms. You will be tested for placement in the program, and if you qualify, you can begin attending soon afterwards.

Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education as a TRiO project. VUB provides veterans with free academic and counseling services to assure they are ready to succeed in their educational pursuits. That includes free preparation to take the COMPASS college entrance exam.

Under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, eligible individuals will receive payment of tuition and fees for college, a monthly housing allowance, up to $1,000 in stipends for purchasing books and supplies and a one-time rural relocation benefit payment.

The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill is only payable for training at an institution of higher learning. Those currently active in the military will not receive the housing allowance or the stipend for books and supplies. Students enrolled exclusively in online training will not receive the housing allowance. This bill provides up to 36 months of full-time education benefits. Benefits are typically payable for 15 years following release from active duty.
The following list indicates those who may qualify for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. Anyone meeting the criteria listed is encouraged to attend an informational session.

• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have served at least 90 aggregate days of active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, and are still on active duty.
• Anyone who was honorably discharged or released from active duty and placed on the retired list or temporary disability retirement list after Sept. 10, 2001.
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were released from active duty and transferred to the Fleet Reserve, Fleet Marine Corps Reserve after Sept. 10, 2001.
• Reservists or guardsmen who qualify for REAP benefits and have served at least 90 aggregate days of active duty after Sept. 10, 2001.
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been released from active duty to serve in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces after Sept. 10, 2001.
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been honorably discharged from active duty due to a service-related disability and served 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001.

For more information, contact APSU Veterans Upward Bound, (931) 221-7600.

The Veterans Upward Bound program at APSU is looking for veterans. A flood of veterans, actually. Veterans who do not have a baccalaureate degree (BA/BS) are eligible for their services. The veterans college/technical school prep outreach seeks to assist veterans return to higher education studies. Dr. Arthur Neal heads up the operation, which is located on 219 Castle Heights Drive along the rear boundary of the APSU Intramural Sports Field.

The program provides academic, counseling and cultural events services for veterans. Assessment testing, remedial skills building techniques, computer-aided instruction and testing and personal counseling are all part of the outreach program’s structure to help veterans in their return to higher education and college studies. If the veteran did not graduate high school, assistance in obtaining a GED is also available for those needing it. Once the GED requirement is met, the technical school or college admission and education pursuit process can begin. Guidance and counseling continue as the veteran pursues his/her studies. The objective is to aid the veteran to a successful graduation.

Veterans in Montgomery, Stewart, Dickson, Chetham, Robertson, Metro-Nashville/Davison, Houston and Humphreys counties in Tennessee, and Christian and Todd counties in Kentucky, are included in Veterans Upward Bound’s service area. For more info, visit them at 219 Castle Heights, Clarksville, TN 37044; or call- Phone: (931) 221-7600, Fax: (931) 221-7598. Contact them today! Get YOUR future on.