By Drew Adams
Murray, KY – Kentucky has received a $27 million federal grant to help students prepare for college. The funds will be used over six years for the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, or GEAR UP. The program will work with 30 schools and serve an estimated 10,000 students. The state Council on Postsecondary Education is one of 19 state entities to receive a GEAR UP award from the U.S. Education Department. The council received two previous awards totaling $31 million. State officials say Berea College also received two GEAR UP awards, totaling more than $10 million annually for six years. The program is designed to help students achieve at or above grade level standards, understand the college admissions process and graduate from high school ready for college work.