Congressman Panetta Announces Over $1 Million in Federal Grant Funding for CSU Monterey Bay to Help Local Students for Prepare for College **CSUMB to use funding to prepare over 1,600 local students for postsecondary education**

WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, September 23 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced the distribution of over $1 million in federal government grants for CSU Monterey Bay. The University was awarded $1,306,400 grant funding under the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP Partnership) Program. This grant program is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Students located in Monterey, Seaside, and Santa Cruz will benefit from the program. “Underserved students face many challenges on their journey to academic achievement,” said Congressman Panetta. “The GEAR UP program will help over 1,600 students prepare for academic readiness, success, and affordability at the postsecondary level. I am proud to announce this critical funding and commend CSUMB for its role to help local students thrive in their academic careers.” GEAR UP provides six-year grants to states and partnerships to provide services at high-poverty middle and high schools. GEAR UP funds are also used to provide college scholarships to low-income students. CSUMB will utilize funding from the Department of Education to offer a GEAR-UP grant to 1,633 6th and 7th grade students. This seven-year grant proposal will serve the schools of Seaside, Walter Colton, Shoreline and Branciforte Middle Schools that feeds into Seaside, Monterey and Harbor High Schools.