Poverty-area grant aids 11,000 students

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Gov. Susana Martinez's administration says New Mexico will receive a federal grant of nearly $34 million over seven years to help prepare public school students for college.

The governor's office announced Wednesday the state will target 25 high-poverty middle and high schools in 12 districts with services financed by the grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

An estimated 11,000 students in grades seven through 12 will be served. The federal grant program is to ensure low-income students are academically prepared so they can succeed in college and help them plan financially to attend a post-secondary school.