The state announced Friday nearly $26 million in federal funds will go toward higher education readiness programs for low-income students. That money will be dispersed over the next seven years to support tutoring, mentoring, and college scholarships.
Connecticut is receiving a seven-year, $25.8 million Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The state received a similar grant in 2012.
Victor Sosa has been involved in GEAR UP programs since he was in 7th grade. He's now studying at Manchester Community College and works at Pratt and Whitney.
“Me working at this new job that GEAR UP helped me get, I bought my mom a house,” Sosa said during a press conference Friday. “She has an income. I have an income. We could both put together [to buy] a house.”
The funding will allow three Connecticut community colleges to collaborate with local school districts.
Local alliances include Manchester Community College with East Hartford Public Schools, Naugatuck Valley Community College with Waterbury Public Schools, and Middlesex Community College with Meriden Public Schools.
