GEAR UP is an acronym for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. It is a seven-year federal grant program that provides services and assistance for low-income students in order to help them successfully graduate from high school and prepare for college.

1. Increase academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education for GEAR UP students.
2. Increase the rate of high school graduation and enrollment in postsecondary education for GEAR UP students.
3. Increase GEAR UP students’ and their families’ knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparations, and financing.
4. Increase GEAR UP students’ success in their first year of attendance at an institution of higher education.

   
   

Utah’s state GEAR UP will implement the proposed activities under a 100% Priority Model in a wide-area implementation covering a service region of over 21,000 square miles. A total of 51 schools within 13 school districts in 13 counties will participate. The majority of these schools and districts participated in the highly successful 2005-11 Utah’s Statewide GEAR UP Education Program grant led by Utah Valley University. The number of students and the scope of direct student services have been significantly expanded in this state grant proposal, along with an ongoing comprehensive, outcomes-oriented evaluation governing all project processes and interventions.

• 11,943 secondary students projected to be served statewide
• 4,337 first year of college students projected to be served statewide
• $26 million for the next seven year grant

• Tutoring and mentoring
• Academic counseling
• College readiness preparation
• Financial aid assistance
• First year in college support
• Parent and family support
• Financial literacy education
• Increased program evaluation and data gathering