Colorado department of higher education, gear up application 2025

The Colorado Department of Higher Education received a $5.0 million Project Grant 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. This award funds comprehensive support services designed to improve college readiness and postsecondary access for low-income Colorado students, including academic counseling, financial aid guidance, mentoring, tutoring, and scholarship assistance.

GEAR UP is a federal program that provides multi-year grants to states and partnerships to support eligible low-income secondary students, including students with disabilities, in obtaining secondary school diplomas and preparing for postsecondary success. The funded services address barriers to college enrollment and completion by delivering financial assistance, academic support, family counseling, and information about postsecondary education options and financing. This award represents Colorado's participation in a national initiative that has obligated $5.97 billion across 908 grants since 2001, with recent state-level awards typically ranging from $5 million to $10 million.