GEAR UP stands for “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs” and is a national college access initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education. As a state grantee, GEAR UP NC implements the following program model serving students, families, and educators from 2012-19:

• Four cohorts of students in target schools starting with the 7th graders and following them through high school graduation and inton the 1st year of postsecondary education.  Cohorts of 7th grade students begin in 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16.

• 12th grade students annually in target schools, serving students through high school graduation and into the 1st year of postsecondary education.

• Statewide dissemination of college access information.