What is Gear Up?

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs

It was established in 1998 and funded through the US Department of Education. We work with cohorts of students, starting no later than 7th grade, in middle schools with 50% or more free and reduced lunch. 

The seven-year college access initiative will provide tutoring, academic counseling, dual-enrollment opportunities, workshops, mentoring, career exploration, job shadowing, college visits, summer enrichment programming, counseling, non-cognitive skill development, financial literacy instruction, professional development, and First Year Experience Courses to the 7th-year cohort as they matriculate to post-secondary.

Mission

To support efforts to increase the number of low-income students that obtain a secondary school diploma and prepare for and succeed in postsecondary education.

Goals

1) Increase academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education

2) Increase the rate of high school graduation and participation in postsecondary education

3) Increase GEAR UP students' and their families' knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation, and financing