The GEAR UP program is a discretionary grant
program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are
prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. GEAR UP
provides five-year grants to States and partnerships to provide services
at high-poverty middle and high schools. GEAR UP grantees serve an
entire cohort of students beginning no later than the seventh grade and
follow the cohort through high school. GEAR UP funds are also used to
provide college scholarships to low-income students.GEAR UP is unique
from other initiatives. This program employs partnerships committed to
serving and accelerating the academic achievement of cohorts of students
through their high school graduation. GEAR UP partnerships supplement
(not supplant) existing reform efforts, offer services that promote
academic preparation and the understanding of necessary costs to attend
college, provide professional development, and continuously build
capacity so that projects can be sustained beyond the term of the grant.
