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Overview

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) 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 Virginia (GUV), funded through the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), works with school divisions across the Commonwealth to promote postsecondary readiness and success. 

GUV operates on seven-year cycles. SCHEV is administering its fourth GEAR UP grant, which began in 2021 and will conclude in 2028. GUV began offering college preparatory services and skills development to a cohort of seventh-grade students in 22 middle schools during the 2021-2022 academic year. These students will receive support through their first year of college, following high school graduation in 2027. In 2022, GUV began offering college preparation services to juniors and seniors in three school divisions through a partnership with the Virginia College Advising Corps and continues to support them through their first year of postsecondary education.

Objectives

Infographic with GEAR UP Objectives: 1. Increase the postsecondary expectations and readiness of students. 2. Improve high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment rates. 3.Raise the knowledge of postsecondary options, preparation, and financing among students and families.

Activities and Services

GEAR UP Virginia provides many free activities and services to help students and their families plan, apply and pay for education and training beyond high school. Examples include:

  • Tutoring and mentoring
  • Summer programs to support transition to high school and, later, transition to college
  • College and financial aid awareness workshops for students and families
  • Visits to a variety of colleges
  • Career and college counseling
  • Supplemental academic preparation and exposure to rigorous coursework
  • Outreach to help high school graduates as they transition to postsecondary education
  • A $2,500 scholarship for eligible GUV students upon high school graduation

Additionally, GEAR UP Virginia is a key partner in offering statewide activities and resources, including:

Who We Serve

  1. Accomack County Public Schools
  2. Brunswick County Public Schools
  3. Danville Public Schools
  4. Halifax County Public Schools
  5. Hampton City Schools
  6. Harrisonburg City Public Schools
  7. Hopewell City Public Schools
  8. Lancaster County Public Schools
  9. Manassas City Public Schools
  10. Nottoway County Public Schools
  11. Petersburg City Public Schools
  12. Westmoreland County Public Schools

Who Can Participate?

GEAR UP Virginia offers extra support to two groups of students and their families:

  1. GEAR UP Cohort: All students in the high school graduating class of 2027 enrolled in GUV partner schools, starting the seventh grade.
  2. Priority Population: Juniors and seniors attending Brunswick, Hopewell and Petersburg High Schools between 2022 and 2028.

Partners