N.Ky. schools receive grant to prepare students for college

COVINGTON, Ky. - GEAR UP Kentucky announced their involvement this year in 29 low income schools across the state. Three of those are in Northern Kentucky.

The announcement was made Friday morning at Holmes Middle School. Hundreds of seventh graders gathered for the announcement, where they learned no matter their background, college is an option.

The GEAR UP Kentucky program, or Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, announced that seventh graders from Holmes Middle School, Newport Middle School, and Bellevue High School will all participate in the program.

It's provided by a $26.9 million grant.

GEAR UP Kentucky Executive Director Yvonne Lovell says the program's vision is to ensure every student has college success.

"People who are better educated have fewer health problems, they are less likely to be in trouble with the law, all the benefits of going to college is really about being a better citizen of the world," explained Lovell.

The program helps give support in high school classes, college advising, setting up college visits, and teaches students how to pay for the rising cost of higher education.

"They learn about things like how do I take care of my own finances so I can pay for college. We will teach them personal finances," added Lovell.

GEAR UP Kentucky will work with the seventh graders until they graduate high school.

The participating schools started the program immediately following the announcement with a visit to the campus of Northern Kentucky University.