Mount wachusett community college gear up

Mount Wachusett Community College received a $665,600 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education under the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP, CFDA 84.334) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. GEAR UP provides six- to seven-year grants to states and partnerships to deliver comprehensive support services to low-income secondary students, including those with disabilities, to improve high school completion rates and postsecondary readiness.

Under this award, Mount Wachusett Community College will deliver academic support, counseling, mentoring, financial aid information, outreach, and related supportive services to eligible secondary school students. These services are designed to reduce high school dropout risk, decrease the need for remedial postsecondary education, and prepare students for successful transition to college. The college will also provide information to students and families regarding postsecondary education advantages and college financing options. The program will be conducted at the college's Gardner, Massachusetts location.