GEAR UP Architect and President Agree on Program's Significance

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The nation's premier program to prepare low-income students for the challenges and rigor of higher education received positive reports on two fronts today - from President Obama and from the program's architect, Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA).

In Washington, the Obama Administration released its 2013 budget providing $302 million for GEAR UP -- Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs - a figure comparable to current resources available for the program.

In New York City, Congressman Fattah delivered opening remarks to some 1,000 attendees at the 2012 GEAR UP Capacity-Building Breakfast at which he announced new research awards to track the progress of low income students in the nation's most successful college readiness and awareness program.

After the Obama budget was announced, Fattah said the funding shows that even in a time of tough budget choices and cutbacks, President Obama agrees that GEAR-UP levels the playing field for young, underserved Americans.

"The President and I are in agreement that GEAR UP is critical to assuring an equal opportunity for all Americans to pursue higher education," said Fattah, who developed the program for bipartisan 1998 enactment by Congress. "There is no greater jobs program in our troubled economy than a good education and a degree beyond high school."

Participants representing the 154 GEAR UP programs nationwide listened attentively as Congressman Fattah announced over 2 million in special awards for GEAR UP grantees.  The 10 awards - up to $225,000 a piece - are from Research Institute International. They will enable these GEAR UP programs to compile data which will help improve project functions and student outcomes.

"I applaud the Department of Education's work in the introduction of these awards," Fattah said "The announcement comes at a critical time when educational programs like GEAR UP continue to be a target for budget cuts. The data gathered from this study will be significant in demonstrating the relationship between GEAR UP and student success."

Since 1998 GEAR UP has provided assistance to 12 million young people in 49 states, with an investment of almost $3 billion in federal resources, The program offers counseling, academic and financial preparation and inspiration for students - and their parents-- starting in the sixth grade who might otherwise not even consider college.

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

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