(Information in the following story is from: Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com)

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A federal program that helps Montana military veterans prepare for college will be closed over the summer due to a funding shortage. It will re-open this fall able to serve fewer potential students.

Veterans Upward Bound Montana will close its programs across the state on Friday and re-open on Sept. 2, after it starts receiving money from a new five-year grant.

VUB Director Luke Petricione tells The Billings Gazette the program has served as many as 230 students each year, helping them with remedial classes, college applications and career counseling.

Under the new grant, it will be able to serve 155 students. Petricione says the program must begin screening applications and chose those who are serious about attending and graduating from college and cut services to those who are only considering it.

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