Class of 2030

College Bound- Career Linked (CBCL) Grant

What is Gear Up?

¿Qué es Gear Up?

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs

GEAR UP ensures they have access to the people, resources, and information needed to graduate from high school and continue their education in the postsecondary program or institution they choose.

GEAR UP garantiza que tengan acceso a las personas, los recursos y la información necesarios para graduarse de la escuela secundaria y continuar su educación en el programa o institución postsecundaria que elijan.

Central MS Gear Up Mission

Our mission is to increase the number of students from the Weslaco ISD that obtain a high school diploma and who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.

Program Overview

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a competitive federal program that provides six- and seven-year grants to education/ community partnerships and states to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.The funding is more than $28 million for the next seven years.  UTRGV is one of six awardees in Texas and one of 18 nationwide out of 118 applicants.

GEAR UP is a federal program aimed at equalizing access to higher education for low-income students. Cohorts begin in seventh grade, receive supplemental services through middle and high schools, and conclude after their first year in college. 

The mission of the UTRGV GEAR UP College in ACTion! is to significantly increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. 

Each year beginning Sept. 1, $4.2 million will be allocated to fund the project, which will serve more than 5,200 students in Donna, Edinburg, McAllen, Mission and Weslaco. Required services of the grant include:

Providing financial aid information for postsecondary education.
Encouraging enrollment in challenging coursework to reduce the need for remediation at the postsecondary education level.
Implementing activities to improve the number of participating students who obtain a secondary school diploma and who complete applications for and enroll in a program of

Program Objective

Our program objective is to provide students with a solid foundation that enables successful completion of higher education programs that lead to career fields in which persons from minority and/or disadvantaged backgrounds are underrepresented.

The program consists of an academic year program and a summer enrichment program that aims to increase skills in math, science, ELA, and technology. Also, an emphasis is placed on socio-emotional learning, cultivating self-esteem, and developing leaders who will be prepared to navigate postsecondary education and enter the workforce.

GEAR UP Provides.../GEAR UP ofrece...

Tutoring and homework assistance/Tutoría y ayuda con las tareas
Comprehensive mentoring/ Tentoría integral
Counseling and advising/ Asesoramiento y asesoramiento

Summer programs /programas de verano
College and career tours and field trips/Visitas a universidades y carreras profesionales y excursiones

Family events/Eventos familiares
College application support/Asistencia para la solicitud de ingreso a la universidad

Financial literacy, financial aid, and scholarship information/Información sobre educación financiera, ayuda financiera y becas
College and career exploration/Exploración de universidades y carreras
Test preparation and study skills/Preparación de exámenes y técnicas de estudio

Gear Up Program Purpose/Propósito del programa Gear Up

GEAR UP prepares students to be academically, socially, and financially prepared to enter and complete the postsecondary program or institution of their choice.

GEAR UP’s three objectives are:

1. Increase academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education.

2. Increase high school graduation and postsecondary participation rates.

3. Increase students’ and their families’ knowledge of postsecondary options, preparation, and finances.

GEAR UP prepara a los estudiantes para que estén preparados académica, social y financieramente para ingresar y completar el programa o institución de educación superior de su elección.

Los tres objetivos de GEAR UP son:

1. Aumentar el rendimiento académico y la preparación para la educación superior.

2. Aumentar las tasas de graduación de la escuela secundaria y participación en la educación superior.

3. Aumentar el conocimiento de los estudiantes y sus familias sobre las opciones, la preparación y las finanzas de la educación superior.

Benefits to Students and Families

• Students receive support through in class and extended day tutoring and homework assistance, mentoring, and career and college exploration, including postsecondary campus visits.

• Los estudiantes reciben apoyo a través de tutorías en clase y durante el día extendido, asistencia con las tareas, tutoría y exploración de carreras y universidades, incluidas visitas a campus de educación superior.

• School districts provide 12th Year Campaign activities to assist students with college applications and FASFA completion.

Los distritos escolares ofrecen actividades de la Campaña del 12.º año para ayudar a los estudiantes con las solicitudes de ingreso a la universidad y la finalización de la FASFA.

• Schools provide at least three family events per year to increase knowledge of postsecondary options, academic preparation and planning, and financial aid and scholarships.

Las escuelas ofrecen al menos tres eventos familiares por año para aumentar el conocimiento sobre las opciones de educación superior, la preparación y planificación académica, y la ayuda financiera y las becas.