GEAR UP is a national, federally funded pre-collegiate grant program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. GEAR UP is an acronym that stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness For Undergraduate Preparation.
In 2018, Colorado GEAR UP Program was awarded a 4th seven-year grant cycle (2018-2025), receiving $35 million from the US Department of Education to continue to provide student services in some of Colorado’s under-resourced communities. The project is targeting 5000 students in fifteen high schools across the state. Colorado GEAR UP utilizes the priority model to serve students beginning in the ninth grade through the first year of college.
Colorado GEAR UP Program services include one-on-one mentoring and advising, a college preparatory curriculum including financial literacy and financial aid, STEM programming, concurrent enrollment opportunities, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), rigorous coursework, tutoring, college visits, summer programs, individualized assistance with the college admission process, college transition programming, a Colorado GEAR UP Scholarship and intrusive advising and wrap-around support services for college students.
Previous Colorado GEAR UP Grants
GEAR UP I - 1999-2005
GEAR UP II - 2005-2011 (plus one-year extension period)
GEAR UP III - 2011-2018 (plus eight-month extension period)
