The U.S. Department of Education announced this week that it will allocate more than $80 million in grants aimed at enhancing access to higher education for students from low-income backgrounds.
These funds, distributed among 26 grantees, are part of the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), a federal initiative designed to boost college readiness and success for underprivileged students.
GEAR UP provides six- to seven-year grants to states and educational partnerships, focusing on middle and high schools with high proportions of low-income students. The program’s mission is to ensure that more students from these backgrounds are not only prepared to attend college but are also equipped to succeed once there.
In a press release, Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal emphasized the program’s community-centric approach. “GEAR UP helps communities come together to start early in preparing young people to go to college and succeed,” said Kvaal. “The Biden-Harris Administration has fought to help all students reach their college dreams and go on to a better life.”
Of the recent grant recipients, eight are state-based programs, while 18 are partnership initiatives. The funding supports a wide range of services aimed at improving college preparedness, from academic tutoring and mentoring to financial aid counseling and college scholarships. Some of the notable grantees include Arkansas Tech University, Purdue University, and the University of Washington, among others.
The GEAR UP program not only targets academic achievement but also works to raise expectations among low-income students, encouraging them to aspire to higher education. By providing sustained support throughout their middle and high school years, the program aims to create a solid foundation for these students to thrive in postsecondary education.
