An $18 million federal grant will go to a program to help Mississippi’s low-income students prepare for college.

The grant to the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs was approved by the U.S. Department of Education and will allow the program to operate for another six years.

The program began working with its first group of students in 2002, when the students were seventh graders, and it continued to serve those students as they moved through school and graduated this spring.

This fall, GEAR UP Mississippi will begin working with another group of nearly 8,000 seventh grade students in 20 school districts.

Students participating in GEAR UP programs have access to tutors, mentors, and advisors; and participate in a number of enrichment programs.