Washington, D.C. —
Senator John Thune announced today that the South Dakota Department of Education has been selected to receive a $1,153,930 GEAR-UP grant by the US Department of Education.
GEAR-UP, Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a discretionary grant program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The South Dakota Department of Education, with its partner Oceti Sakowin Education Consortium (OSEC), will use the grant to increase the number of first generation, low income Native American students who successfully transition and complete higher education through the participation in the GEAR-UP program.
“Increasing awareness of higher education opportunities is vital to making significant and lasting changes for students living on our reservations,” Thune said. “It is great to have the Department of Education recognize those who worked on this grant and their commitment to changing the lives of the over 800 first generation, low income Native American students who will benefit from this program.”
GEAR-UP, Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a discretionary grant program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The South Dakota Department of Education, with its partner Oceti Sakowin Education Consortium (OSEC), will use the grant to increase the number of first generation, low income Native American students who successfully transition and complete higher education through the participation in the GEAR-UP program.
“Increasing awareness of higher education opportunities is vital to making significant and lasting changes for students living on our reservations,” Thune said. “It is great to have the Department of Education recognize those who worked on this grant and their commitment to changing the lives of the over 800 first generation, low income Native American students who will benefit from this program.”
