Around 2,500 low-income students statewide, including all of this year's seventh-graders at Glendale and Northwest middle schools, have hit an $18 million jackpot.
They will have their college paid for, no matter where they go. They will be on track for a career, and they will have help on every step of their six-year journey to graduation.
The two schools are recipients of a federal Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs grant, GEAR UP. The program is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
"This is huge, and it is the first time for Utah to get one of these grants," said Mark Bezzant, assistant vice president for Utah Valley State College. "When parents find out, there have been tears of gratitude to know they have that kind of help."
UVSC is the fiscal agent for the grant and is in partnership with other colleges in the state, awarding sub-grants for their own GEAR UP programs. Bezzant said Utah's program may end up a national model.
"There is an achievement gap in low-income students and our whole purpose is to demonstrate that the gap is unnecessary," said Bezzant. "With the right kind of help, kids in these groups can achieve at equal levels with other children."
A big part of the grant will be used to help Northwest and Glendale middle schools' 650 seventh-graders. But there will also be programs in pockets of poverty throughout the state.
Students in the program must commit to their studies, regularly meet with their counselors and graduate high school. In return they get their tuition paid for at whatever school they are accepted.
"Our parents are very excited; it's just a blessing for our kids and there is a wonderful feeling," said Ernie Nix, Glendale's principal.
Bezzant said the brilliance of the program is that it is customized to fit each individual student — whatever they need, they will have help with.
In the beginning of the program counselors will sit down with both the students and families to chart out not only an education plan, but an individual life plan. They ask what the student wants in life, what they want to do and where they want to be. Then they map out a plan to get there.
"Kids buy into it because you are talking about their dreams, their goals and how they can realistically get there," Bezzant said. "When you customize it to what they want it is amazing what they will achieve."
GEAR UP will provide supplemental services to schools such as tutoring, guidance counseling, mentoring, college visits, chats with professionals and whatever else a student may need to get into college. And if they make it that far they get scholarships.
They will learn how to prepare for college entrance tests, apply for financial aid and get into their chosen fields.
Bezzant said not only will the program be a positive force in the classroom but it will influence behavior and discipline problems — keeping students out of trouble both in and out of school.
"What we know is kids who succeed in schools don't end up in corrections," Bezzant said. "A scholarship to the state pen is far more expensive that a scholarship to Penn State."
About half of the money will go to funding college for those students in the program.
Officials are currently working on specific criteria to get the scholarship money, but Anne Sherry, state GEAR UP director, said the main objective will be graduating from the program.
Other schools besides the Salt Lake middle schools will also be involved in the program.
Utah State University, Salt Lake Community College and the College of Eastern Utah have received sub-grants from the funding to run GEAR UP in schools within their regions. UVSC will also run GEAR UP in Utah County.
Low-income students who qualify for free or reduced lunch can apply to be in the the program and if they are chosen they will receive the same services as Salt Lake students through the other colleges.
Though no one seems to be opposed to a program like GEAR UP, some question its sustainability.
"It's a very good program, but once money dries up programs go away," said Richard Gomez, state educational equity director. "The key is finding something sustainable that will be able to continue when federal funds dry up."
But one of GEAR UP's objectives is to offer services that continuously build capacity so projects can be sustained beyond the term of the grant. And Bezzant said sustainability follows successful programs.
"When you demonstrate things work, schools find ways to replicate them," Bezzant said. "We will show that it can be done, then deal with sustainability later on."
The state was awarded the money this fall and currently leaders are looking to hire around 50 tutors to work in the program as well as volunteer tutors and professionals willing to mentor and help students.
For more information or to volunteer call 801-863-6000.
"The whole philosophy is with a little help and support these kids are going to go on and do great things — you have no idea who is sitting in front of you," Sherry said.
E-mail: terickson@desnews.com