The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission will get an $18 million federal grant to help low-income kids attend college. The grant will go into effect this fall.

About 13,000 students will participate in the six-year project from the 7th through 12th grades. Participating counties are Boone, Clay, Lincoln, McDowell, Mingo, Roane, Summers, Webster, Wirt and Wyoming.

The counties were chosen based on the Educational Needs Index, a county-level study assessing statistics such as high school education rates and poverty levels. 

The goal is college, said Dr. Adam Green, the principal lead author of the grant. Sixteen percent of West Virginians have a bachelors degree according to the U.S Census. It is the lowest rate in the country.

The West Virginia GEAR UP grant was one of 24 projects funded nationally from more than 280 applications. HEPC received the maximum grant awarded.

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness for Undergraduate Programs) will provide specialized college preparation and financial incentives for students to attend college. Funding will also go toward increased parental involvement and college counseling.  The grant will expand the hours when students are learning.

After-school tutoring and summer programs will supplement the normal school day.

The grant will help students "plan, apply and pay for college," said Dr. Green. SAT and ACT preparation will also play a role.

The grant will try to overcome informational barriers that prevent many Appalachian students from attending college. Hundreds of questions such as deadlines and cost, how to register for the SAT, and write an effective SAT essay will be answered. Parent workshops and increased parent-teacher conferences are part of the plan.

Reach Paula Kaufman at gaze...@wvgazette.com or 348-1228.

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission will get an $18 million federal grant to help low-income kids attend college. The grant will go into effect this fall.

About 13,000 students will participate in the six-year project from the 7th through 12th grades. Participating counties are Boone, Clay, Lincoln, McDowell, Mingo, Roane, Summers, Webster, Wirt and Wyoming.

The counties were chosen based on the Educational Needs Index, a county-level study assessing statistics such as high school education rates and poverty levels. 

The goal is college, said Dr. Adam Green, the principal lead author of the grant. Sixteen percent of West Virginians have a bachelors degree according to the U.S Census. It is the lowest rate in the country.

The West Virginia GEAR UP grant was one of 24 projects funded nationally from more than 280 applications. HEPC received the maximum grant awarded.

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness for Undergraduate Programs) will provide specialized college preparation and financial incentives for students to attend college. Funding will also go toward increased parental involvement and college counseling.  The grant will expand the hours when students are learning.

After-school tutoring and summer programs will supplement the normal school day.

The grant will help students "plan, apply and pay for college," said Dr. Green. SAT and ACT preparation will also play a role.

The grant will try to overcome informational barriers that prevent many Appalachian students from attending college. Hundreds of questions such as deadlines and cost, how to register for the SAT, and write an effective SAT essay will be answered. Parent workshops and increased parent-teacher conferences are part of the plan.

Reach Paula Kaufman at gaze...@wvgazette.com or 348-1228.