Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs

Provides 6-or 7-year grants to States and Partnerships to provide support, and maintain a commitment, to eligible students from low-income backgrounds, including students with disabilities, to assist the students in obtaining a secondary school dipl

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) provide grants that encourage eligible entities to provide support, and maintain a commitment, to eligible low income students, including students with disabilities, to assist the students in obtaining a secondary school diploma (or its recognized equivalent) and to prepare for and succeed in postsecondary education. GEAR UP grants provide financial assistance, academic support, additional counseling, mentoring, outreach, and supportive services to secondary school students, including students with disabilities, to reduce the risk of such students dropping out of school or the need for remedial education for such students at the postsecondary level. They also provide information to students and their families about the advantages of obtaining a postsecondary education, and college financing options for the students and their families.

A State, or a partnership consisting of one or more local educational agencies and one or more degree granting institutions of higher education.

Low-income students and students in high-poverty schools.

(GEAR UP offers state and partnership grants. State grants are competitive six-year matching grants that must include both an early intervention component designed to increase college attendance and success and raise the expectations of low-income students and a scholarship component. Partnership grants are competitive six-year matching grants that must support an early intervention component and may support a scholarship component designed to increase college attendance and success and raise the expectations of low-income students. To meet the matching requirement, States and Partnerships must cover at least 50 percent of the total project costs with cash or in-kind contributions from non-Federal sources (as in, a dollar-for-dollar match). This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate, which is referenced under 34 CFR 76.564-76.569. For assistance call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group at (202) 708-7770.

Contact the program office contact for more information.

Grants are made for up to 7 years, subject to the availability of funds.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Applications are peer reviewed by panels composed of representatives from public and private higher education, and State, and local education agencies having expertise in elementary, secondary, and higher education.

Notification usually is made within 4-6 months of the deadline for submission of applications.

Applications for renewal of multi-year projects are processed and funded before those for new projects. Renewals are subject to grants demonstrating substantial progress and the availability of funds.