Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)
GEAR UP is a federally funded grant program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in college. The program provides seven-year grants to states and partnerships to deliver academic enrichment, college and career readiness programming, and family engagement in high-poverty middle and high schools.
GEAR UP serves entire cohorts of students beginning no later than seventh grade and follows them through high school graduation, offering mentoring, tutoring, college exposure activities, and financial aid guidance. Funds are also used to provide scholarships to low-income students pursuing higher education.
Program Oversight
College and Career Coaches work with Site Administrators to encourage, facilitate, and record student participation in various GEAR UP activities, including:
- College and career coaching
- Comprehensive mentoring
- Tutoring/ homework assistance
- Educational field trips
- Educational workshops
- Job site visits/ job shadowing
- Financial aid counseling/ advising
- Afterschool programming
- Summer programming
- Coaching, Mentoring and Tutoring
Coaching, Mentoring and Tutoring
College and Career Coaches provide comprehensive college and career coaching, mentoring, and tutoring services. A tutor assists someone with learning a new process or concept, whereas as coaches and mentors, on the other hand, go far beyond the role of a tutor. Coaching and mentoring is multi-dimensional and involves more than the academic part of a person the way tutoring does—it concerns a young persons’ whole life. TLC provides coaching, mentoring, and tutoring for individuals and small groups of students in the GEAR UP cohort. In doing so, TLC is able to focus both on short term outcomes in subject areas while also focusing on relationships, positive views, and shared life experiences.
Afterschool Programming
College and Career Coaches manage the GEAR UP afterschool programs designed to boost academic performance, reduce risky behaviors, promote physical health, and provide a safe, structured environment for children. TLC’s afterschool program provides meals, homework assistance, and a variety of enrichment activities, including use of virtual reality, sports activities, and gaming. Local transportation is provided to the identified GEAR UP participants.
