Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Claflin University will receive a $520,000 grant to support its GEAR UP program. GEAR UP is a national grant program to support early college preparation and awareness activities for low-income students. The goal of the Claflin GEAR UP Program is to ensure disadvantaged at-risk middle school and secondary students enrolled at target schools in Orangeburg are prepared for, pursue, and succeed in postsecondary education. The program begins to work with students in the sixth grade at both middle schools in Orangeburg School District Five. Activities include mentoring, tutoring, counseling, financial aid information, parental involvement and empowerment training. In addition, students are offered opportunities to participate in after-school and extended-day activities, Saturday academies, a five week Summer Enrichment Institute, and college visits. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. ####