California gaining early awareness and readiness for undergraduate programs ( california gear up)

The Office of Postsecondary Education awarded The Regents of the University of California a $4.998 million Project Grant 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. This grant funds California GEAR UP, a comprehensive initiative designed to serve low-income secondary school students in the Oakland, California area. The program delivers academic support, financial aid counseling, mentoring, and college preparation services to improve high school completion rates and postsecondary readiness among eligible students, including those with disabilities.

As a state-level grantee, the University of California's Office of the President Research Administration manages the delivery of outreach, academic support, and college financing information services across the initiative. GEAR UP grants of this scope typically support multi-year commitments (6-7 years subject to renewal based on demonstrated progress) and require substantial cost-sharing from recipients, contributing to California's broader workforce development and educational equity objectives within the University of California system.