Services

Veterans Upward Bound provides a wide range of statewide services to support veterans as they explore educational and training opportunities.

We’ve expanded our offerings to include increased access to individualized counseling and advising in key areas such as:

• Career exploration
• College admissions guidance
• Veterans’ education benefits

All advising sessions are delivered remotely via Google Meet, making it easy to connect with our team—no matter where you live in Montana.

Whether you’re mapping out your next steps or just starting to explore your options, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

EdReady Placement Assessment

The EdReady Placement Assessment evaluates a veteran’s math and writing skills to determine the most appropriate starting point for college-level courses. Most students entering or transferring to a Montana college are required to complete the EdReady Assessment to help colleges place them in the right math and writing courses. The assessment is:

• Free to use
• Completed online
• Takes approximately 45–60 minutes
• EdReady not only helps ensure accurate placement, but also gives you the opportunity to build your skills and improve your score through personalized study paths before enrolling in classes.

Career Assessment Inventory: Career Exploration

Veterans Upward Bound offers access to the Career Assessment Inventory (CAI) to help you explore career paths that align with your interests and strengths. The CAI compares your occupational interests to those of individuals working in 111 specific careers, spanning a wide range of technical and professional fields.

• Helps identify career paths that fit your interests
• Supports the development of personalized career and study plans

The CAI is an excellent starting point for making informed choices about your future, our advisors are here to help you interpret the results and plan your next steps.

Veterans’ Upward Bound offers a variety of short-term workshops, available both in-person and online.

These workshops provide academic refreshers and help develop the essential skills needed to succeed in any learning environment.

Some workshops are designed to strengthen core academic abilities, while others focus on practical tools for education, employment, and everyday life. For example, we offer targeted sessions to build skills for collaborative work and personal growth, including:

• Searching for jobs & resume writing
• Communicating with Gmail and staying organized
• Searching the internet for information
• Computer Safety: Keeping you and your computer safe
• College admissions
• Scholarships
• Military benefits
• FAFSA
• Creative writing
• Public speaking
• Math refresher
• Basic budgeting and financial planning

Veterans Upward Bound offers appointment-based tutoring to support your academic success. 

Tutoring is available in-person or virtually using Google Meet—whichever works best for you.

To get started, simply contact our office and let us know what kind of assistance you need. In most cases, we can connect you with a tutor within just a few days.

We have a network of qualified tutors located throughout the state. While most sessions are held remotely, our tutors are well-equipped with a variety of teaching materials and tools to ensure you receive high-quality support.

Before your session, please complete the following steps to make sure you’re ready:

1. Ensure you have a reliable internet connection.
2. Test your audio and video in Google Meet.
3. Gather any course materials or assignments you’d like help with.
4. Find a quiet, distraction-free environment.

If you’re participating in the EdReady tutorial program, you can also request extra support from a tutor. Our tutors may check in with you periodically to monitor your progress and offer additional guidance.

Prepare for College with Confidence

Veterans Upward Bound is here to guide you through the entire college preparation process—from admissions to benefits and everything in between.

Academic and College Readiness

Get support in navigating college admissions, financial aid, class registration, and more. Dust off those practical academic skills like note taking, test taking, and time management—and get ready to succeed in the classroom.

College Admissions Assistance

We’ll walk you through each step of the admissions process, including:

• Understanding and applying for financial aid
• Meeting college entrance and program requirements
• Registering for classes
• Interpreting degree plans and course loads

We also provide appropriate referrals to campus resources so you’ll know exactly where to go for additional support.

VA Education Benefits

Need help understanding and accessing your VA education benefits? We’ve got you covered. Our team can assist with:

• Navigating www.vets.gov
• Reviewing your benefit details, eligibility, and time remaining
• Posting questions or accessing support through the VA
• Completing your benefits application online
• Printing and submitting required documents for your college’s certifying official

Statewide Veteran Support

In addition to academic guidance, we can connect you with veterans’ service providers across Montana. Whether you need housing assistance, employment help, or additional community resources, we’re here to make sure you get the support you need.

Veterans Upward Bound offers a wide range of online services to support veterans across Montana.

Through our live-online classes, we’ve expanded access to educational assistance—making it easier than ever for participants to:

• Identify and strengthen areas of academic weakness
• Test and improve their readiness for online learning
• Explore career paths and educational opportunities
• Access real-time support when questions or challenges arise

Whether you’re in a rural area or balancing a busy schedule, our online resources are designed to meet you where you are—so you can move forward with confidence.

College Planning

In this class, you will walk through the process of applying to school, understanding your GI Bill education benefits, complete the FAFSA, get connected to campus resources, and learn about helpful skills like note taking, organization, studying, and AI for college. Students will hear from guest lectures from campus offices such as Disability Support Services, TRIO Student Support Services, Veteran and Military office, and former VUB participants that are now enrolled in college.

Computer Skills

Brush up on your computer skills and strengthen your understanding of essential tools like Microsoft Word and Excel. Learn how to create more polished, professional documents for both college and the workplace. Whether you’re starting from the basics or refining existing skills, these sessions will help you feel more confident using technology in any setting.

Foreign Language

Learn the basic grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation needed to communicate simply—but effectively—in Spanish. If Spanish is part of your academic future, this is a great opportunity to get a head start on the material commonly covered in an introductory college class.

Mathematics/Algebra

If the thought of a math class makes you break out in a cold sweat, you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place. This class is designed to help you face your math fears in a supportive, judgment-free environment. You’ll review basic math skills, fill in any learning gaps, and refresh concepts you may have forgotten. As your confidence grows, you’ll begin building a stronger foundation to move into algebra with ease.

Our VUB instructors specialize in helping veterans overcome math anxiety and tackle areas of weakness—so you can succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Science

Get a brief yet engaging overview of biology, physics, and chemistry, and become familiar with the key concepts and principles in each field. This course is designed to help you build a strong foundation before stepping into a college-level science class.  You’ll also develop essential tools for success, including:

• Science-specific vocabulary
• Effective study habits
• Learning strategies tailored for science courses

Whether you’re brushing up or starting fresh, this class will help you feel more prepared and confident in your future science studies.

Writing

Start with a concise grammar and punctuation review to eliminate common errors and build a solid foundation for more formal, purposeful writing. From there, you’ll explore the entire writing process—from brainstorming and pre-writing to drafting, revising, and polishing your work.  This course focuses on:

• Content development and organization
• Effective use of transitions and clarity
• Strong word and sentence choices
• Crafting thoughtful, well-structured essays

Whether you’re preparing for college-level writing or want to sharpen your skills for work or personal growth, this course will help you write with confidence and clarity.

Eligibility is determined by meeting one of the following criteria:

Eligibility Requirements

Veterans may qualify for a laptop if they are:

• Enrolled in or pursuing a training or educational program:
  • A post-secondary education at a two- or four-year institution.
  • An on-the-job training program.
  • A workforce development program.
  • A certificate program, or

• Actively seeking employment.  Veterans in this category will receive the following services:
  • Referral to the local Job Service office for employment assistance.
  • Access to an online career exploration tool to help identify employment opportunities aligned with personal interests.
  • Resources and guidance for resume development, composing a letter of interest, and an introduction to additional online employment tools.

Device Condition

All laptops are gently used, thoroughly evaluated, and refurbished to ensure dependable performance.  After devices are received from the vendor, the VUB team:

• Inspects each laptop.
• Performs a complete factory reset.
• Verifies functionality and readiness for veteran use.

The result is a device in like-new working condition, comparable to a newly opened retail laptop.

Please note: that some units may display minor cosmetic wear or limited functionality due to prior use or age.

Device Availability

Apple (MacBooks) and Chromebooks may be offered occasionally, depending on vendor inventory.

Windows-based laptops are most commonly available.