Program Office: Student Service
CFDA Number: 84.334A; 84.334S
Program Type: Discretionary/Competitive Grants
Also Known As: GEAR UP
This discretionary grant program is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. GEAR UP provides six-year grants to states and partnerships to provide services at high-poverty middle and high schools. GEAR UP grantees serve an entire cohort of students beginning no later than the seventh grade and follow the cohort through high school. GEAR UP funds are also used to provide college scholarships to low-income students.
GEAR UP offers state and partnership grants. State grants are competitive six-year matching grants that must
include both an early intervention component designed to increase college attendance and success and raise the
expectations of low-income students and a scholarship component. Partnership grants are competitive six-year
matching grants that must support an early intervention component and may support a scholarship component
designed to increase college attendance and success and raise the expectations of low-income students.