TX gear up

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) 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) on October 1, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2026. GEAR UP provides comprehensive support services to low-income secondary students, including those with disabilities, to improve high school completion rates and postsecondary readiness. The grant funds academic support, counseling, mentoring, financial aid information, and related services designed to reduce dropout risk and the need for remedial education at the postsecondary level while providing students and families with information about postsecondary education advantages and college financing options.

TEA distributed these federal funds through sub-awards to multiple partner organizations and school districts, including nonprofit organizations (National Council for Community & Education Partnerships, College Possible, and Tntp, Inc.) and 11 Texas school districts (Crockett, Willis, McGregor, Corsicana, Shepherd, Tyler, Gladewater, Navasota, Marshall, San Augustine Independent School Districts, and the Tyler Area P-16 Council). The sub-awards, issued between January 29, 2026 and May 27, 2026, enabled these entities to deliver direct educational services focused on college readiness, academic acceleration, teacher professional development, and strategic advising frameworks to increase the number of low-income students prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.