GEAR UP North Carolina

The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) project is a national college access initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education. In order to participate in GEAR UP, a school must have a student body comprised of at least 50% free and reduced price lunch enrollment. The federal goal of GEAR UP is to significantly increase the number of students in disadvantaged communities who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. GEAR UP has three program objectives:

  1. To increase the academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education of participating students;
  2. To increase the rate of high school graduation and participation in postsecondary education of participating students; and
  3. To increase educational expectations for participating students and increase student and family knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation, and financing.

The University of North Carolina System was awarded a seven-year grant in 2012 for GEAR UP NC to provide college access and readiness services. Since 2012, the grant has provided support to schools, students, and families to achieve the project’s goal and objectives. GEAR UP NC directly engages students in partner schools starting in the 7th grade year, providing these students with academic readiness and college access support over the course of their middle and high school careers. Since 2012, GEAR UP NC has also engaged 12th grade students in partner high schools with college application and financial aid application support. 

GEAR UP NC partners with the College Foundation of North Carolina, ACT Inc., the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and the State Education Assistance Authority for statewide dissemination of college information. GEAR UP NC is included in the University of North Carolina System Higher Expectations Strategic Plan as a strategy for promoting and improving access to higher education in North Carolina.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goals, Objectives, and Performance Measures

GEAR UP NC’s goal is to significantly increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The national goals and project objectives that drive the GEAR UP North Carolina project are as follows:

  • Increase academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education.
    Increase the percentage of students taking and successfully completing the following courses: Pre-Algebra by the end of 8th grade, Algebra I by the end of 9th grade, and two years of math beyond Algebra I by the end of 12th grade. Increase the percentage of students who have knowledge of and demonstrate academic preparation for college and who enroll in college without the need for remedial coursework.
  • Increase the rate of high school graduation and participation in postsecondary education.
    Decrease the high school dropout rate. Increase the high school graduation rate; the average daily attendance rates at middle schools and high schools; and the percentage of students who apply, enroll, and succeed in college, along with the percentage of students who are on track to graduate from college.
  • Increase GEAR UP students’ and their families’ knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation, and financing.
    Increase students’ and families’ knowledge of and active engagement in the preparation of students for postsecondary education.

Services

GEAR UP NC provides the following data-driven college access services, based on need, to students, their families, and educators in target schools. These services are tied directly to GEAR UP NC’s goals and objectives and based on data indicating what the students’ primary needs are and what tools will best address these needs.

  • academic tutoring
  • assessments
  • career exploration
  • college match advising
  • college visits
  • college info workshops
  • enrichment programs
  • financial aid workshops
  • mentoring
  • postsecondary services
  • professional development
  • Spanish services
GEAR UP NC Map Card Pg2
GEAR UP NC Program and Services

PARTNERS

GEAR UP North Carolina partners with the following agencies as part of the 2012-19 matching state GEAR UP grant:

GEAR UP NC Map Card Pg1
GEAR UP NC Map Card

CONTACT US

GEAR UP NC State Office Contact Information

Email: gearup@northcarolina.edu
Follow us on Twitter @GEARUPNC

GEAR UP NC Physical/FEDEX/UPS Address

GEAR UP North Carolina
910 Raleigh Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

GEAR UP NC USPS

GEAR UP North Carolina
Box 2688
Chapel HIll, NC 27514