GEAR UP@Walker-Grant Middle School

Orientation: Spring 2015

GEAR UP

“Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs”

GEAR UP Objectives

1. Increase the academic performance and preparation for college for GEAR UP students

2. Increase the rate of high school graduation and participation in college for GEAR UP students

3. Increase GEAR UP students’ and their families’ knowledge of college options, preparation, and financing

GEAR UP Program

@Walker-Grant Middle School Tutoring Mentoring Academic Interventions College Tours Financial Aid Workshops for Parents Summer School STEM Program College Scholarships

GEAR UP FAQs

Who is the program for? Current cohort of 7th grade students

Who has access to GEAR UP Programs? All students in the cohort

GEAR UP FAQs (cont.)

How long does the program last? Program follows the current 7th grade

through the first year of college

How do students earn a college scholarship? Students who graduate and are

accepted to a 2-year or 4-year institution receive the equivalent of a Pell Grant if they qualify for student aid

GEAR UP FAQs (cont.)

What about students in other grades—how do they benefit? The GEAR UP program is focused on

data-driven decisions and community partnerships aimed to sustain initiatives established through the given cohort

GEAR UP Resources

General Information about applying to college and financial aid:

https://studentaid.ed.gov/ https://www.collegeboard.org/ http://www.act.org/ http://www.schev.edu/GEARUP/

ResourcesforStudents.asp http://www.ownyourownfuture.com/

GEAR UP Resources (cont.)

Federal government website on GEAR UP

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/gearup/index.html

Virginia’s website on GEAR UP http://www.schev.edu/gearup/

GEAR UPQuestions?

Volunteers?