UVSC to use grant to prepare students

OREM — Congressman Chris Cannon, R-Utah, announced last week that Utah Valley State College will receive a $3 million grant under the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR-UP) state award program.

The award, disbursed by the U.S. Department of Education, supports early college preparation and awareness activities for low-income students.

"This is great news for Utah's education system," Cannon said. "These funds are desperately needed in some middle and secondary schools in my district. . . . This grant will go a long way towards helping some students find a way to continue their education."

GEAR-UP provides five-year grants to offer services at high-poverty middle and high schools to support awareness activities and fund scholarships for low-income students. GEAR-UP partnerships offer services that promote academic preparation and the understanding of necessary costs to attend college.

Utah GEAR-UP is designed to be a statewide nexus of support for students, ensuring they are competent, prepared and financially equipped to enter, navigate and succeed in higher education.

These funds will be used by Utah GEAR-UP to increase the high school graduation rate and college enrollment, as well as providing scholarships to increase student accessibility to higher education options and financing, Cannon said.