The $1,319,690 grant, $263,938 per year for five years, will be used to fund resources for veterans interested in enrolling in college and earning a post-secondary degree. This will include providing a dedicated Veterans’ Center on the West Hills College Lemoore campus.

“West Hills Community College District is excited to offer the wide array of educational and supportive services available through the Veteran’s Upward Bound grant to the many veterans in Fresno and Kings Counties,” said Anita Wright, Director of Grants for the West Hills Community College District. “Working in collaboration with the Lemoore Naval Air Base Transition Assistance Program and numerous area Veterans’ organizations, the WHCL Veterans’ Upward Bound Center will assist area veterans with the transition from military life to a college student and will provide extensive resources for their educational success.”

The WHCL Veterans Upward Bound program will provide services including basic skills instruction, intensive short-term refresher courses, instruction in core curriculum subjects, assistance with preparing for college entrance exams and completing college admission applications, advising services and academic tutoring. The program will also help veterans secure supportive services.

The grant provides funding to serve as many as 125 veterans.