Idaho Low-Income Students To Get Help From Federal Grant

Idaho has been awarded a $23 million federal grant to help low-income students attend college as part of the U.S. Department of Education's "Gear Up" program. The state Department of Education says the money will be used to serve about 6,000 students across Idaho, targeting middle schools where at least 50 percent of the pupil population qualifies for free or reduced-price lunches. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna says his agency's aim is to ensure every student who graduates from an Idaho high school is ready to continue their education and will not need remediation once in college. Luna says the "Gear Up" program has proven successful in helping move Idaho closer toward that goal.