Students at 16 high schools in central and Southern West Virginia can receive up to a $3,300 boost for their first year in college or training school.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Students at 16 high schools in central and Southern West Virginia can receive up to a $3,300 boost for their first year in college or training school.
West Virginia GEAR UP, a federally funded grant program, has $500,000 available this year to assist college-bound students. GEAR UP officials hope to get the word out to as many students as possible -- the deadline to apply is May 1.
"We're definitely looking for more [students] because the money's there so we'd like to get rid of it," said Jessica Kennedy, communications specialist for the program. "Our fear is sort of missing one or two kids."
Eligible students will receive at least $200 to help pay for their first year of college or training. Depending on a student's financial need, some will receive up to $3,300.
"If they can get into the college, they can get the money from us," Kennedy said.
The incentive award is one part of West Virginia GEAR UP's mission, whose coordinators also help high school juniors and seniors learn more about financial aid programs. Coordinators will also talk to the teens about higher education and career options available and how to apply for college.
West Virginia GEAR UP coordinators will focus much of their energy on this year's seventh-grade students in parts of 10 counties. Students in the Class of 2014 will work closely with tutors and mentors, and many will be introduced to a college campus for the first time, said Adam Green, director of West Virginia GEAR UP.
GEAR UP works in parts of Boone, Clay, Lincoln, McDowell, Mingo, Roane, Summers, Webster, Wirt and Wyoming counties. Some students in Clay, Roane, Lincoln and McDowell are also eligible for extra grant money that's part of an older GEAR UP program, Kennedy said.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Students at 16 high schools in central and Southern West Virginia can receive up to a $3,300 boost for their first year in college or training school.
West Virginia GEAR UP, a federally funded grant program, has $500,000 available this year to assist college-bound students. GEAR UP officials hope to get the word out to as many students as possible -- the deadline to apply is May 1.
"We're definitely looking for more [students] because the money's there so we'd like to get rid of it," said Jessica Kennedy, communications specialist for the program. "Our fear is sort of missing one or two kids."
Eligible students will receive at least $200 to help pay for their first year of college or training. Depending on a student's financial need, some will receive up to $3,300.
"If they can get into the college, they can get the money from us," Kennedy said.
The incentive award is one part of West Virginia GEAR UP's mission, whose coordinators also help high school juniors and seniors learn more about financial aid programs. Coordinators will also talk to the teens about higher education and career options available and how to apply for college.
West Virginia GEAR UP coordinators will focus much of their energy on this year's seventh-grade students in parts of 10 counties. Students in the Class of 2014 will work closely with tutors and mentors, and many will be introduced to a college campus for the first time, said Adam Green, director of West Virginia GEAR UP.
GEAR UP works in parts of Boone, Clay, Lincoln, McDowell, Mingo, Roane, Summers, Webster, Wirt and Wyoming counties. Some students in Clay, Roane, Lincoln and McDowell are also eligible for extra grant money that's part of an older GEAR UP program, Kennedy said.
In late 2007, when Green wrote the GEAR UP grant, at least half the students in the 16 high schools were eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
"And these truly are high-need counties," Green said.
The 16 high schools are: Big Creek in McDowell County, Burch in Mingo County, Clay County High, Gilbert in Mingo County, Iaeger in McDowell County, Lincoln County High, Matewan in Mingo County, Mount View in McDowell County, Roane County High, Sherman in Boone County, Summers County High, Tug Valley in Mingo County, Webster County High, Westside High in Wyoming County, Williamson High in Mingo County and Wyoming County East.
Students can use the incentive at any four-year public or private college in West Virginia or a two-year school or community and technical college.
They can also use the money for classes at proprietary institutions such as Everest Institute, West Virginia Business College or West Virginia Junior College.
The application deadline is May 1, and students can apply for the incentive awards at: www.wvgearup.org. College-bound students must also submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form by May 1.
Reach Davin White at davinwh...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1254.
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