Around 2,500 low-income students statewide, including all of this year's seventh-graders at Glendale and Northwest middle schools, have hit an $18 million jackpot.

They will have their college paid for, no matter where they go. They will be on track for a career, and they will have help on every step of their six-year journey to graduation.

The two schools are recipients of a federal Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs grant, GEAR UP. The program is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.

"This is huge, and it is the first time for Utah to get one of these grants," said Mark Bezzant, assistant vice president for Utah Valley State College. "When parents find out, there have been tears of gratitude to know they have that kind of help."

UVSC is the fiscal agent for the grant and is in partnership with other colleges in the state, awarding sub-grants for their own GEAR UP programs. Bezzant said Utah's program may end up a national model.

"There is an achievement gap in low-income students and our whole purpose is to demonstrate that the gap is unnecessary," said Bezzant. "With the right kind of help, kids in these groups can achieve at equal levels with other children."

A big part of the grant will be used to help Northwest and Glendale middle schools' 650 seventh-graders. But there will also be programs in pockets of poverty throughout the state.

Students in the program must commit to their studies, regularly meet with their counselors and graduate high school. In return they get their tuition paid for at whatever school they are accepted.

"Our parents are very excited; it's just a blessing for our kids and there is a wonderful feeling," said Ernie Nix, Glendale's principal.

Bezzant said the brilliance of the program is that it is customized to fit each individual student — whatever they need, they will have help with.

In the beginning of the program counselors will sit down with both the students and families to chart out not only an education plan, but an individual life plan. They ask what the student wants in life, what they want to do and where they want to be. Then they map out a plan to get there.

"Kids buy into it because you are talking about their dreams, their goals and how they can realistically get there," Bezzant said. "When you customize it to what they want it is amazing what they will achieve."