Gaining Early Awareness and
Readiness for Undergraduate Programs
(GEAR UP)
Overview of GEAR UP
GEAR UP is one of the most exciting programs to emerge from the Higher
Education Amendments of 1998 (Public Law 105-244), signed by President
Clinton on October 7, 1998. GEAR UP is designed to promote student
achievement and facilitate more access to postsecondary education. It is
aimed at enabling low-income communities and states to create new or
expanded K–
16 education partnerships and action plans
that strengthen schools and provide more and improved education
opportunities for low-income students.
Based upon proven models, GEAR UP supports local schools,
community-based organizations, businesses, institutions of higher
education, and states to strengthen academic programs and provide more
student services in schools. Through GEAR UP, the U.S. Department of
Education addresses the challenge to help more low-income students
become prepared academically and financially to enter and succeed in
college.
Types of GEAR UP Grants
GEAR UP includes two complimentary efforts: competitive
grants to states and competitive grants to education/community
partnerships composing of colleges, school districts, and at least two
other entities, such as businesses, professional organizations,
community-based organizations, and state agencies. State and partnership
grants have similar, but not identical requirements. For example, state
programs must have college awareness and preparation requirements and a
scholarship component whereas partnership programs must have a
college awareness and preparation component but are not
required—though they
are encouraged—to have a
scholarship component.
Both state and partnership grants address
three main goals:
- Increase the high school graduation and
college-going rates of low-income students;
- Improve the academic performance of
low-income students; and
- Enhance schools' academic and curricular
reforms, including professional development for teachers of low-income
students.
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