USU scholarship program receives multimillion dollar grant

A Utah State University scholarship program was awarded $16.9 million to be distributed over seven years to help middle and high school students in Salt Lake County succeed academically.

“As a leading land-grant university, USU is committed to making public education accessible to all students,” USU President Noelle Cockett said in a written statement. “USU’s participation in this grant aligns our engagement in the state’s K-12 education system with the professional development expertise that we offer in areas of math, engineering, and computer science training for teachers and students.”

The scholarship is part of an initiative by the United States Department of Education called “GEAR UP,” which awards grants to schools in underprivileged communities.

“GEAR UP funds have served our students in poverty, helping them close the achievement gap and preparing them for college and careers,” said Danny Stirland, the director of more than 15 junior high schools for the Granite School District.

“Many students are and will be the first member in their family to graduate high school and go to college,” he said. “GEAR UP has helped with bringing kids and families out of generational poverty, empowering them to lead successful lives.”

The grant will serve 3,052 students from Eisenhower, Granite Park, Hunter, Kearns, Kennedy, Matheson, Valley, and West Lake Junior High School — all part of the Granite School District.

Schools will continue to be added as students progress.

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