10.24.24

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $5 Million In Federal Funding For Postsecondary Education Preparedness

CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission will receive $5 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP).

Illinois GEAR UP aims to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The funding also will provide services, such as academic and financial aid advising, career exploration, college visits, and tutoring and test preparation for middle and high schools students attending Centralia, Dongola, Gillespie, Griggsville, Hoopeston, LaSalle, Madison, Milford, Rock Falls, Urbana, Vandalia, and Wabash school districts.

“Our students deserve to be prepared to enter into postsecondary education regardless of their economic status,” said Durbin. “I’ll keep working with Senator Duckworth to ensure our state and students have the necessary federal support to be successful in higher education.”

“Every student deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, which is why it’s so important that programs like Illinois GEAR UP have the resources they need to support Illinois students and their families as they pursue postsecondary education,” Duckworth said.  “I’m proud to work with Senator Durbin to continue expanding opportunities and access to higher education for the next generation of students across Illinois.”

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