Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
Provides 6-or 7-year grants to States and Partnerships to provide support, and maintain a commitment, to eligible students from low-income backgrounds, including students with disabilities, to assist the students in obtaining a secondary school diploma (or its recognized equivalent) and to prepare for, and succeed in, postsecondary education. GEAR UP has two major service components. All projects provide a comprehensive set of early intervention services including mentoring, tutoring, academic and career counseling, services to increase parental involvement, and other college preparation activities like exposure to college campuses and financial aid information and assistance. Some projects provide college scholarships to participating students.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- State governments
- Public nonprofits
- Other public organizations
- Private nonprofits
A State, or a partnership consisting of one or more local educational agencies and one or more degree granting institutions of higher education.
Beneficiaries
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- 35
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- 55
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Low-income students and students in high-poverty schools.
How to Apply
Application Procedure
In any fiscal year in which funds are available for new awards, the Department of Education publishes a notice in the Federal Register inviting applications and establishing a deadline date.
Award Procedure
Peer review panels composed of representatives from public and private higher education, and State, and local education agencies having expertise in elementary, secondary, and higher education.
Notification usually is made within 4-6 months of the deadline for submission of applications.
Program details & compliance
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
(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. To meet the matching requirement, States and Partnerships must cover at least 50 percent of the total project costs with cash or in-kind contributions from non-Federal sources (as in, a dollar-for-dollar match). This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate, which is referenced under 34 CFR 76.564-76.569. For assistance call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group at (202) 708-7770.
Required Documentation
OMB Circular No. A-21 applies. OMB Circular No. A-122 applies.
Matching Requirements
The statute requires a cash or in-kind match from non-Federal sources for 50% of the total project costs.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements