A federal program to increase the number of low-income students in college will award about $1 million in tuition assistance to Hawaii high school students starting in 2013, according to University of Hawaii officials.

The GEAR UP Tuition Assistance Trust was approved yesterday by the Board of Regents at its meeting on Kauai.

GEAR UP, an acronym for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

GEAR UP Hawaii works with UH's 10-campus system and the state Department of Education to prepare students for higher education.

The $1 million is part of a six-year, $15.4 million grant from the GEAR UP program given to the university in 2005, according to a UH news release.

To be eligible, students must sign up and participate in GEAR UP early-intervention activities.