Gear up longwood: gaining early awareness and readiness for undergraduate programs

Longwood University received a $1.18 million Project Grant from the Office of Postsecondary Education under the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP, CFDA 84.334) for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. GEAR UP Longwood will provide comprehensive support services to low-income secondary students, including those with disabilities, to improve high school completion rates and postsecondary readiness. The award funds academic support, counseling, mentoring, financial aid information, and related student services designed to reduce dropout risk and decrease remedial education needs at the postsecondary level.

The grant also supports outreach and information dissemination to students and families regarding postsecondary education benefits and college financing options. As a partnership-eligible grant recipient, Longwood University will coordinate these services through its location in Farmville, Virginia, as part of the broader GEAR UP program, which has awarded $5.97 billion in federal obligations across 908 grants since 2001. The program operates on a 6-7 year grant cycle with peer review and requires demonstration of substantial progress for renewal eligibility.