The US Department of Education, along with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, and other education partners around the state, have given the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) a total of over $46 million dollars, WLTX reports. Part of a federal program called Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, (GEAR UP) theĀ SC GEAR UP program will provide direct services to 24 middle schools, both rural and low-income along the I-95 corridor, and give students the academic skills and support they need to prepare for, enter and succeed in postsecondary educationā¦