Governor Matt Bevin and the Council on Postsecondary Education announced that Kentucky has won a $24.5 million GEAR UP grant to increase the number of low-income students graduating from high school and enrolling in college or workforce training programs. Kentucky is one of only six states to receive GEAR UP funding the from the U.S. Department of Education in this year’s competition, making it the Council’s fourth GEAR UP award. The federal funds are matched dollar-for-dollar by local, state, and national partnerships for a total impact of $49 million over the seven-year funding cycle. The program will serve a minimum of 10,000 students in middle and high schools in at least 10 school districts. For the first time, the grant will offer support services for students through their first year of college. Participating schools districts will be announced later this month. Direct student services will begin in 2019.