Get Ready GEAR UP Minnesota, located in the Office of Higher Education, is honored to announce that it has been awarded $31,150,000 in a competitive federal GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The grant, which will run for seven years (2024 to 2031) and serve over 5,728 students from 19 schools across six districts, will play a pivotal role in promoting college readiness and success amongst the students in Minnesota, particularly students from low-income backgrounds and at-risk communities.
In its first year, GEAR UP Minnesota will engage 5,728 students in 6th and 7th grades, as well as a priority group of 12th graders, across the following districts: Fridley, Brooklyn Center, Robbinsdale, Minneapolis, Red Lake, and Saint Cloud.
Additionally, GEAR UP Minnesota will extend its reach to 12,000 more students through statewide outreach services, impacting over 17,000 students annually.
Over the grant period, Get Ready GEAR UP Minnesota will offer a diverse range of evidence-based services, including:
- College admissions and financial aid workshops and counseling
- In-class and after-school tutoring
- Academic programs during after-school hours and summer
- College visits
- Career awareness counseling
- Academic mentoring
- Professional development for teachers and school staff
- Test preparation support
- Individualized postsecondary planning and first-year college assistance
The program will allocate $2,765,000 in federal funds to provide Pell-equivalent scholarships to select students enrolling in Minnesota based higher education, supporting their journey through postsecondary education. Through these initiatives, Get Ready GEAR UP Minnesota aims to achieve substantial improvements in key educational metrics, including:
- Improved average daily attendance rates within district schools
- Increased graduation rates
- Increased completion of FAFSA applications
- Enhanced postsecondary enrollment rates and greater persistence into the second year of college
- Improved GPAs and college knowledge amongst students and their families
Get Ready GEAR UP Minnesota will spearhead, with collaboration from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, Minneapolis College, the Minnesota Department of Education, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc. (SWPIC), The National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP), National Postsecondary Strategies Institute (NPSI), Mastery Prep, Genesys Works Twin Cities, InsideTrack, and Youthprise.
"GEAR UP Minnesota represents a transformative step towards ensuring that all students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, have the support and resources they need to succeed in postsecondary education," said Patrick Milton, Point of Contact for GEAR UP Minnesota. "Our comprehensive approach, combined with strong community partnerships, will empower students to achieve their educational and career goals."
