About GEAR UP Kentucky

GEAR UP Kentucky is a federal initiative that encourages young people to stay in school, study hard, and take the right courses for college. The program is focused on improving the skills of at-risk students and influencing their educational choices through enhanced guidance and support. GEAR UP also helps students prepare and plan for college and become aware of financial aid opportunities.

Unlike many other programs, GEAR UP works with partnerships of schools, colleges, businesses, community, and non-profit organizations. Partners provide early intervention services for students and work to transform the culture of a school so that every student is prepared for and encouraged to pursue college. Also, GEAR UP supports entire cohorts of students (all students in one grade), beginning in the seventh grade and ending the freshman year of college.

The U.S. Department of Education awarded Kentucky a GEAR UP grant in 2000 for $10 million. Cash and in-kind services from state and other sources provide an additional $10 million to the program. The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education administers the grant. For information on the federal GEAR UP initiative, visit www.ed.gov/gearup.