The University of Hawaii at West Oahu has received a $2.7 million grant to help more than 500 students in the Waianae Coast area prepare for and succeed in postsecondary education.

The money comes from the U.S. Department of Education under the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, or GEAR UP, focused on increasing the college and career readiness of low-income and underserved students in communities nationwide.

The seven-year grant supports a collaborative effort of public institutions and community partners that will provide academic readiness and college access services to students in participating schools. Students will receive tutoring, career guidance, comprehensive college advising, financial literacy, dual-credit course opportunities and mentoring from the seventh grade through their first year of college. Services are anticipated to begin in spring 2018.

UH West Oahu obtained a GEAR UP grant in 2011 named Holomua: GEAR UP on the Leeward Coast. Among the results: a record 20 valedictorians were among the 414 Holomua GEAR UP students who received their diplomas from Waianae High School in May.