Kansas University will receive $271,300 in McNair Scholar Program funds, which will go toward students preparing for graduate school.

The program is the namesake of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, an astronaut who was killed in the 1986 Challenger space shuttle explosion.

The funds target first-generation college students or those from socio-economic groups that are under-represented in graduate school.

In addition, Kansas State University and Wichita State University will each receive $252,000.

The funds were awarded by the U.S. Department of Education and announced by U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan.