- 2025 Federal TRIO Programs Current-Year Low-Income Levels
- Click here for the FY 2023 New Project Directors Meeting Power Point presentation.
- Letter to TRIO and GEAR UP programs' project directors about an ED and HHS collaborative for disconnected youth (MS Word, 76K)
Program Office: Federal TRIO Programs
CFDA Number: 84.047V
Program Type: Discretionary/Competitive Grants
Also Known As: TRIO (Upward Bound is one of eight TRIO programs.)
Program Description
Veterans Upward Bound is designed to motivate and assist veterans in the development of academic and other requisite skills necessary for acceptance and success in a program of postsecondary education. The program provides assessment and enhancement of basic skills through counseling, mentoring, tutoring and academic instruction in the core subject areas. The primary goal of the program is to increase the rate at which participants enroll in and complete postsecondary education programs.
Additional Information
All Veterans Upward Bound projects must provide instruction in mathematics through pre-calculus, laboratory science, foreign language, composition and literature. Projects may also provide short-term remedial or refresher courses for veterans who are high school graduates but have delayed pursuing postsecondary education. Projects are also expected to assist veterans in securing support services from other locally available resources such as the Veterans Administration, state veterans agencies, veteran associations, and other state and local agencies that serve veterans.
Other services include:
- Education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of participants
- Instruction in reading, writing, study skills, and other subjects necessary for success in education beyond high school
- Academic, financial, or personal counseling
- Tutorial services
- Mentoring programs
- Information on postsecondary education opportunities
- Assistance in completing college entrance and financial aid applications
- Assistance in preparing for college entrance exams
- Information on the full range of Federal Student financial aid programs and benefits
- Guidance and assistance in alternative education programs for secondary school dropouts that lead to receipt of a regular secondary school diploma, entry into general education development (GED) programs or postsecondary education
Application Eligibility
Institutions of higher education, public and private agencies and organizations including community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth, combinations of such institutions, agencies and organizations, and as appropriate to the purpose of the program, secondary schools.
Participant Eligibility
Participants must meet military service requirements stipulated in the authorizing statute and be low-income, prospective first-generation college students who are preparing to enter a postsecondary institution. The program requires that at least two-thirds of the participants in a project be both low-income and first-generation. The remaining participants must be either low-income or first-generation military veterans who served in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for more than 180 days and received other than a dishonorable discharge; was discharged because of a service connected disability; was a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces called to active duty for a period of more than 30 days; or 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; and have a high risk for academic failure.
Timeline
Current competition: FY 2022
Application available: April 26, 2022
Deadline for transmittal of applications: June 10, 2022
Federal Register Notice
- Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for FY 2022. dated April 26, 2022|
PDF
Current Application
All applicants are required to submit an application online through Grants.gov. Grants.gov is a single access point for over 1,000 grant programs offered by federal and other grant-making agencies.
Through Grants.gov you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number 84.047. If you experience problems submitting your application through Grants.gov, refer to the Support page and/or contact the Grants.gov Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. For program-specific questions, contact the program officers below.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
Tips and Assistance
Veterans Upward Bound Program Competitive Preference Priority Studies: The Department is listing the following website at www.ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc for applicants to use as a guide in developing responses to the Competitive Preference Priorities. Applicants should carefully review the studies for relevance and adaptability. This list is not exhaustive.
In preparation for the FY 2022 Veterans Upward Bound Programs' grant competitions, the Student Service area will conduct webinar pre-application workshops in May 2022. Click here for the Pre-Application Technical Assistance Workshop PowerPoint Presentation Slides.
Application Contact
Dana Foreman, Dana.Foreman@ed.gov, 202-453-7396
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
E-mail: upwardbound@ed.gov
The information below highlights award history information at both the program and project levels.
Program-Level
The program-level information shows historical funding allocation, number of awards, number of participants, average award, average number of participants and average cost per participant for fiscal years 2011 through 2024.
FY 2011-2024 Veterans Upward Bound Program Funding History: PDF (115K)
Project-Level
The project-level information provides funding allocation and number of participants by project for fiscal years 2021 through 2024.
FY 2024: Projects funded for 2024-25: PDF (142K)
FY 2023: Projects funded for 2023-24: MS Excel (14K)
FY 2022: Projects funded for 2022-23: MS Excel (14K)
FY 2021: Projects funded for 2021-22: MS Excel (14K)
Legislation
- Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended; Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Sec. 402C
- 20 U.S.C. 1070a-13 MS Word (217K) | PDF (188K)
Regulations
- Official Final Regulations Amending TRIO Regulations, as published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2010. These final regulations amend the Veterans Upward Bound program regulations. [ PDF]
- Title 34 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 645
- Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR, Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99
Guidance
- Uniform Guidance Information for ED Grantees -- Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards: The Department has worked closely with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to streamline some federal circulars into a single guidance document, and make conforming changes to Department regulations. The old rules do not change — they are simply repackaged and enhanced to reduce burden on grantees. The new combined document is known as the "Uniform Guidance" and is codified at 2 CFR 200. The new guidance will take effect for recipients of Federal funds for awards made on or after December 26, 2014. The new regulations do not impact any Department of Education awards received prior to this date.
- Current Low-Income Levels
- Prior-Year Low-Income Levels
- Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Applicant and Grantee Resources
Key Staff
Sharon Easterling
Division Director, (202) 453-7425
Sharon.Easterling@ed.gov
Mailing Address:
Federal TRIO Programs
U.S. Department of Education, OPE
Higher Education Programs
Upward Bound/Upward Bound Math-Science
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
5th Floor
Washington, DC 20202
E-mail: OPE_TRIO@ed.gov
Reports
- Fast Facts Report for the Veterans Upward Bound Programs, August 2020 PDF (849K)
- A Profile of the Veterans Upward Bound Program: 2000-2001 MS Word (1.6M) | PDF (533KB)
Key Staff
- Sharon Easterling, Director of TRIO Upward Bound/EOC Programs, 202-453-7425
- Dana Foreman, Ed.D, Program Lead, 202-987-0437
- Program Specialists
- Student Service Organizational Directory
Mailing Address
U.S. Department of Education, OPE
Higher Education Programs
Veterans Upward Bound Program
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
5th Floor
Washington, DC 20202
E-Mail: OPE_TRIO@ed.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
 | Select a link below to jump to the relevant page section. |
- What is the purpose of the Veterans Upward Bound Program?
- What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
- How often are competitions held?
- What is the duration of the average grant?
- What is the average grant amount?
- Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
- What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
- What are the requirements for auditing and/or evaluation of funded projects?
- Are there program-wide performance measures?
- What are a few concrete examples of allowable activities?
1. What is the purpose of the Veterans Upward Bound Program?
The purpose of the Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) Program is to assist veterans in preparing for entry in and completion of a program of postsecondary education.
TOP
2. What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
A Veterans Upward Bound Program must provide the following services:
- Academic tutoring to enable participant to complete secondary or postsecondary courses, which may include instruction in reading, writing, study skills, mathematics, science and other subjects;
- Advice and assistance in secondary and postsecondary course selection;
- Assistance in preparing for college entrance examinations and completing college admission applications;
- Information on the full range of Federal student financial aid programs and benefits (including Federal Pell Grant awards and loan forgiveness) and resources for locating public and private scholarships;
- Guidance on and assistance in secondary school reentry; alternative education programs for secondary school dropouts that lead to the receipt of a regular secondary school diploma; entry into general educational development (GED) programs or entry into postsecondary education; and
- Education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of participants, including financial planning for postsecondary education;
- Any project that has received funds for at least two years must include as part of its core curriculum in the next and succeeding years, instruction in mathematics through pre-calculus; laboratory science; foreign language; composition; and literature;
- Provide intensive basic skills development in those academic subjects required for completion of a high school equivalency program and for admission to postsecondary education programs;
- Provide short-term remedial or refresher courses for veterans who are high school graduates but who have delayed pursuing postsecondary education. If the grantee is an institution of higher education, these courses shall not duplicate courses otherwise available to veterans at the institution;
- Assist veterans in securing support services from other locally available resources such as Veterans Administration, State veterans agencies, veterans associations, and other state and local agencies that serve veterans; and
- Provide special services, including mathematics and science preparation, to enable veterans to make the transition to postsecondary education.
TOP
3. How often are competitions held?
The VUB Program competition is held every four years.
TOP
4. What is the duration of the average grant?
All VUB grants are funded for five-year grant award cycles.
TOP
5. What is the average grant amount?
The average VUB grant award amount is $280,429.
TOP
6. Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
The VUB Program does not require cost sharing or matching.
TOP
7. What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
All VUB Program grantees are required to submit an annual performance report (APR) documenting the progress being made towards meeting the approved objectives.
A grantee must maintain a record of —
- The basis for the grantee's determination that the participant is eligible to participate in the project;
- The basis for the grantee's determination that the participant has a need for academic support in order to pursue successfully a program of education beyond secondary school;
- The services that are provided to the participant;
- The educational progress of the participant during high school and, to the degree possible, during the participant's pursuit of a postsecondary education program; and
- To the extent practicable, any services the participant receives during the project year from another Federal TRIO program or another federally-funded program that serves populations similar to those served under the UB program.
TOP
8. What are the requirements for auditing and/or evaluation of funded projects?
Any non-Federal entity that expends a total of $500,000 or more in federal funds must have an annual audit that is conducted under the requirements of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-133. In addition, a grantee is required to implement the evaluation plan stated in its funded application.
TOP
9. Are there program-wide performance measures?
The success of the VUB Program is measured by the percentage of low-income, first-generation college students who successfully pursue and complete postsecondary education.
TOP
10. What are a few concrete examples of allowable activities?
Academic instruction in reading, writing, math, science, foreign languages and other subjects as needed; assistance in course selection; assistance with completing college admissions applications; information on financial aid; conducting individual participant needs assessment; development of participant Individual Education Plan; providing information and counseling on college selection; assistance through preparation for college entrance examinations, and cultural enrichment activities.
- 2025 Federal TRIO Programs Current-Year Low-Income Levels
- Click here for the FY 2023 New Project Directors Meeting Power Point presentation.
- Letter to TRIO and GEAR UP programs' project directors about an ED and HHS collaborative for disconnected youth (MS Word, 76K)
Program Office: Federal TRIO Programs
CFDA Number: 84.047V
Program Type: Discretionary/Competitive Grants
Also Known As: TRIO (Upward Bound is one of eight TRIO programs.)
Program Description
Veterans Upward Bound is designed to motivate and assist veterans in the development of academic and other requisite skills necessary for acceptance and success in a program of postsecondary education. The program provides assessment and enhancement of basic skills through counseling, mentoring, tutoring and academic instruction in the core subject areas. The primary goal of the program is to increase the rate at which participants enroll in and complete postsecondary education programs.
Additional Information
All Veterans Upward Bound projects must provide instruction in mathematics through pre-calculus, laboratory science, foreign language, composition and literature. Projects may also provide short-term remedial or refresher courses for veterans who are high school graduates but have delayed pursuing postsecondary education. Projects are also expected to assist veterans in securing support services from other locally available resources such as the Veterans Administration, state veterans agencies, veteran associations, and other state and local agencies that serve veterans.
Other services include:
- Education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of participants
- Instruction in reading, writing, study skills, and other subjects necessary for success in education beyond high school
- Academic, financial, or personal counseling
- Tutorial services
- Mentoring programs
- Information on postsecondary education opportunities
- Assistance in completing college entrance and financial aid applications
- Assistance in preparing for college entrance exams
- Information on the full range of Federal Student financial aid programs and benefits
- Guidance and assistance in alternative education programs for secondary school dropouts that lead to receipt of a regular secondary school diploma, entry into general education development (GED) programs or postsecondary education
Application Eligibility
Institutions of higher education, public and private agencies and organizations including community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth, combinations of such institutions, agencies and organizations, and as appropriate to the purpose of the program, secondary schools.
Participant Eligibility
Participants must meet military service requirements stipulated in the authorizing statute and be low-income, prospective first-generation college students who are preparing to enter a postsecondary institution. The program requires that at least two-thirds of the participants in a project be both low-income and first-generation. The remaining participants must be either low-income or first-generation military veterans who served in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for more than 180 days and received other than a dishonorable discharge; was discharged because of a service connected disability; was a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces called to active duty for a period of more than 30 days; or 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; and have a high risk for academic failure.
Timeline
Current competition: FY 2022
Application available: April 26, 2022
Deadline for transmittal of applications: June 10, 2022
Federal Register Notice
- Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for FY 2022. dated April 26, 2022| PDF
Current Application
All applicants are required to submit an application online through Grants.gov. Grants.gov is a single access point for over 1,000 grant programs offered by federal and other grant-making agencies.
Through Grants.gov you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number 84.047. If you experience problems submitting your application through Grants.gov, refer to the Support page and/or contact the Grants.gov Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. For program-specific questions, contact the program officers below.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
Tips and Assistance
Veterans Upward Bound Program Competitive Preference Priority Studies: The Department is listing the following website at www.ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc for applicants to use as a guide in developing responses to the Competitive Preference Priorities. Applicants should carefully review the studies for relevance and adaptability. This list is not exhaustive.
In preparation for the FY 2022 Veterans Upward Bound Programs' grant competitions, the Student Service area will conduct webinar pre-application workshops in May 2022. Click here for the Pre-Application Technical Assistance Workshop PowerPoint Presentation Slides.
Application Contact
Dana Foreman, Dana.Foreman@ed.gov, 202-453-7396
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
E-mail: upwardbound@ed.gov
The information below highlights award history information at both the program and project levels.
Program-Level
The program-level information shows historical funding allocation, number of awards, number of participants, average award, average number of participants and average cost per participant for fiscal years 2011 through 2024.
FY 2011-2024 Veterans Upward Bound Program Funding History: PDF (115K)
Project-Level
The project-level information provides funding allocation and number of participants by project for fiscal years 2021 through 2024.
FY 2024: Projects funded for 2024-25: PDF (142K)
FY 2023: Projects funded for 2023-24: MS Excel (14K)
FY 2022: Projects funded for 2022-23: MS Excel (14K)
FY 2021: Projects funded for 2021-22: MS Excel (14K)
Legislation
- Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended; Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Sec. 402C
- 20 U.S.C. 1070a-13 MS Word (217K) | PDF (188K)
Regulations
- Official Final Regulations Amending TRIO Regulations, as published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2010. These final regulations amend the Veterans Upward Bound program regulations. [ PDF]
- Title 34 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 645
- Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR, Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99
Guidance
- Uniform Guidance Information for ED Grantees -- Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards: The Department has worked closely with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to streamline some federal circulars into a single guidance document, and make conforming changes to Department regulations. The old rules do not change — they are simply repackaged and enhanced to reduce burden on grantees. The new combined document is known as the "Uniform Guidance" and is codified at 2 CFR 200. The new guidance will take effect for recipients of Federal funds for awards made on or after December 26, 2014. The new regulations do not impact any Department of Education awards received prior to this date.
- Current Low-Income Levels
- Prior-Year Low-Income Levels
- Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Applicant and Grantee Resources
Key Staff
Sharon Easterling
Division Director, (202) 453-7425
Sharon.Easterling@ed.gov
Mailing Address:
Federal TRIO Programs
U.S. Department of Education, OPE
Higher Education Programs
Upward Bound/Upward Bound Math-Science
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
5th Floor
Washington, DC 20202
E-mail: OPE_TRIO@ed.gov
Reports
- Fast Facts Report for the Veterans Upward Bound Programs, August 2020 PDF (849K)
- A Profile of the Veterans Upward Bound Program: 2000-2001 MS Word (1.6M) | PDF (533KB)
Key Staff
- Sharon Easterling, Director of TRIO Upward Bound/EOC Programs, 202-453-7425
- Dana Foreman, Ed.D, Program Lead, 202-987-0437
- Program Specialists
- Student Service Organizational Directory
Mailing Address
U.S. Department of Education, OPE
Higher Education Programs
Veterans Upward Bound Program
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
5th Floor
Washington, DC 20202
E-Mail: OPE_TRIO@ed.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
| Select a link below to jump to the relevant page section. |
- What is the purpose of the Veterans Upward Bound Program?
- What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
- How often are competitions held?
- What is the duration of the average grant?
- What is the average grant amount?
- Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
- What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
- What are the requirements for auditing and/or evaluation of funded projects?
- Are there program-wide performance measures?
- What are a few concrete examples of allowable activities?
1. What is the purpose of the Veterans Upward Bound Program?
The purpose of the Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) Program is to assist veterans in preparing for entry in and completion of a program of postsecondary education.
TOP
2. What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
A Veterans Upward Bound Program must provide the following services:
- Academic tutoring to enable participant to complete secondary or postsecondary courses, which may include instruction in reading, writing, study skills, mathematics, science and other subjects;
- Advice and assistance in secondary and postsecondary course selection;
- Assistance in preparing for college entrance examinations and completing college admission applications;
- Information on the full range of Federal student financial aid programs and benefits (including Federal Pell Grant awards and loan forgiveness) and resources for locating public and private scholarships;
- Guidance on and assistance in secondary school reentry; alternative education programs for secondary school dropouts that lead to the receipt of a regular secondary school diploma; entry into general educational development (GED) programs or entry into postsecondary education; and
- Education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of participants, including financial planning for postsecondary education;
- Any project that has received funds for at least two years must include as part of its core curriculum in the next and succeeding years, instruction in mathematics through pre-calculus; laboratory science; foreign language; composition; and literature;
- Provide intensive basic skills development in those academic subjects required for completion of a high school equivalency program and for admission to postsecondary education programs;
- Provide short-term remedial or refresher courses for veterans who are high school graduates but who have delayed pursuing postsecondary education. If the grantee is an institution of higher education, these courses shall not duplicate courses otherwise available to veterans at the institution;
- Assist veterans in securing support services from other locally available resources such as Veterans Administration, State veterans agencies, veterans associations, and other state and local agencies that serve veterans; and
- Provide special services, including mathematics and science preparation, to enable veterans to make the transition to postsecondary education.
TOP
3. How often are competitions held?
The VUB Program competition is held every four years.
TOP
4. What is the duration of the average grant?
All VUB grants are funded for five-year grant award cycles.
TOP
5. What is the average grant amount?
The average VUB grant award amount is $280,429.
TOP
6. Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
The VUB Program does not require cost sharing or matching.
TOP
7. What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
All VUB Program grantees are required to submit an annual performance report (APR) documenting the progress being made towards meeting the approved objectives.
A grantee must maintain a record of —
- The basis for the grantee's determination that the participant is eligible to participate in the project;
- The basis for the grantee's determination that the participant has a need for academic support in order to pursue successfully a program of education beyond secondary school;
- The services that are provided to the participant;
- The educational progress of the participant during high school and, to the degree possible, during the participant's pursuit of a postsecondary education program; and
- To the extent practicable, any services the participant receives during the project year from another Federal TRIO program or another federally-funded program that serves populations similar to those served under the UB program.
TOP
8. What are the requirements for auditing and/or evaluation of funded projects?
Any non-Federal entity that expends a total of $500,000 or more in federal funds must have an annual audit that is conducted under the requirements of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-133. In addition, a grantee is required to implement the evaluation plan stated in its funded application.
TOP
9. Are there program-wide performance measures?
The success of the VUB Program is measured by the percentage of low-income, first-generation college students who successfully pursue and complete postsecondary education.
TOP
10. What are a few concrete examples of allowable activities?
Academic instruction in reading, writing, math, science, foreign languages and other subjects as needed; assistance in course selection; assistance with completing college admissions applications; information on financial aid; conducting individual participant needs assessment; development of participant Individual Education Plan; providing information and counseling on college selection; assistance through preparation for college entrance examinations, and cultural enrichment activities.