January 7, 2008...

Trident Technical College has received a federal grant of $1.25 million ($250,000 per year for five years) to implement a Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program. TTC is the only institution of higher education in South Carolina to offer this program and is one of 44 programs nationally.

VUB is a free, federally funded, pre-college TRIO program designed to help eligible U.S. military veterans refresh their academic skills so that they can successfully enroll in and complete postsecondary education. TTC’s VUB project will serve 120 eligible participants each year by providing core curriculum refresher classes, academic and career counseling, tutoring, mentoring and other related services.

“We are excited about helping the tri-county area’s large population of active duty and civilian veterans prepare for college and improve the quality of their lives and those of their families,” said Brian Jerdan, VUB director. “The VUB program assists veterans with every step of pursuing a college education, simplifying the process and providing support and encouragement.”

 To qualify, veterans must meet certain income requirements and/or be first generation college students; they must also have served at least 181 days of active military service and have a discharge that is other than dishonorable.

For more information about this program, call VUB Director Brian Jerdan at

843-574-6871.