Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer, Brown Announce Over $550,000 to Strengthen Education, Service Programs for Veterans

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer and Anthony G. Brown (all D-Md.) announced $586,534 in federal funding to help veterans earn higher education degrees. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Education's Veterans Upward Bound Program, which supports counseling, mentoring, tutoring, and academic instruction for veterans as they pursue postsecondary education. The lawmakers fought for increased funding in fiscal year 2022 for Upward Bound and other federal TRIO Programs, which are federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and support educational pursuits. 

“After serving our nation and putting their lives on the line for our country, our veterans are owed the opportunity to pursue higher education and expand their possibilities. With these critical funds, our local colleges will be able to ensure our nation’s heroes have the resources they need to succeed when they come home. We will continue to support this program to help veterans reach their goals and live out their dreams,” said the lawmakers.

Recipients of the Veterans Upward Bound funding include:

• $297,601 for Wor-Wic Community College
• $288,933 for Prince George's Community College

Veterans Upward Bound is designed to motivate and assist veterans in the development of academic and other skills necessary for success in postsecondary education. All Veterans Upward Bound projects must provide instruction in mathematics, laboratory science, foreign language, composition, and literature. 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.