Mid-Michigan GEAR UP Federal Grant Award Summary

Davenport University received a $1,432,779 Project Grant award effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education to implement the Mid-Michigan GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) initiative. This program delivers comprehensive educational support services designed to increase college readiness and postsecondary enrollment among low-income students in the Grand Rapids, Michigan region. The Mid-Michigan GEAR UP initiative provides targeted services including academic counseling, financial aid guidance, mentoring, tutoring, and scholarship assistance to eligible secondary school students from disadvantaged backgrounds, with the ultimate objective of improving high school graduation rates and facilitating successful transitions to higher education.

As a minority-serving nonprofit institution, Davenport University leverages its position as an urban educational provider to address educational equity needs within Michigan communities. The university currently manages three active Department of Education initiatives totaling approximately $3.5 million, positioning it as an experienced administrator of federal grant-funded education programs. The Mid-Michigan GEAR UP award represents one component of the university's broader portfolio of federally funded educational initiatives designed to support workforce development and student success across underserved populations.