Region 10 Education Service Center was recently awarded a $24,838,400 federal Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grant. The seven-year grant will serve approximately 4,500 seventh-grade students from school districts across Region 10 to help ensure they are prepared to enter and succeed in college. The grant will support the cohort of students through high school and into their first year of college.
The grant, which equates to $3,606,400 per year or $800 per student, will fund a variety of college readiness initiatives, including:
Trips to visit college campuses
Summer enrichment programs and camps
Industry experiences and exposure to career pathways
Academic support and tutoring
Arts and cultural experiences
"This significant GEAR UP grant will have a profound impact on the college aspirations and preparedness of thousands of students in our region," said Dr. Jana Melsheimer, Region 10 ESC Executive Director. "By providing comprehensive academic, social, and experiential support, we aim to open doors to higher education and set students up for long-term success."
Region 10 ESC will partner with local school districts in the coming months to announce the specific schools that will benefit from the GEAR UP program. The grant is part of the U.S. Department of Education's efforts to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.