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

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced South Carolina State University will receive a $354,908 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 program assists students in the Allendale County and Orangeburg School District 3 in meeting South Carolina State Performance Standards, complete a college preparatory course of study, train teachers, increase parental and community involvement, and increase the awareness of financial aid resources. The program begins to work with students in the 7th grade and continues through high school graduation. Services provided include tutoring, mentoring, counseling, workshops, field trips, and college visitations. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. ####