Project reach (realizing and achieving collegiate heights)

Sul Ross State University received a $1.07M 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) on October 1, 2025, with completion scheduled for September 30, 2026. The PROJECT REACH initiative will deliver academic support services, mentoring, counseling, and financial aid information to low-income secondary students in Alpine, Texas, with the objective of improving high school completion rates and preparing students for postsecondary education success.

As a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution serving rural and border communities in West Texas, Sul Ross State University will leverage this GEAR UP funding to provide outreach services and supportive programming aimed at reducing high school dropout risk and the need for remedial education at the postsecondary level. The grant aligns with the GEAR UP program's overarching mission to maintain sustained commitment to eligible low-income students, including those with disabilities, while providing information to students and families regarding postsecondary education opportunities and college financing options.