GEAR UP Virginia

About the Program

In effort to increase student college enrollment and success and to transform the lives of low-income families and their communities, GEAR UP Virginia (GUV) began offering college preparatory services and skills development to a cohort of seventh-grade students at 28 middle schools in 15 school districts beginning in 2014-15. These students will receive support through their first year of college, following high school graduation in 2020. GUV also offers critical college preparation services annually to up to 50 homeless youth (priority students), during their senior year at four school divisions, and supports them through their first year of college.*

Goals and Objectives: Goals are to: 1) increase the academic performance and college preparation of GUV students; 2) increase the number of students in rigorous courses; 3) increase knowledge of college and financial aid among students and their families; 4) improve college readiness rates; and 5) increase college enrollment rates.

Number of Students Served: Currently, GEAR UP Virginia currently serves 4,500 eleventh-graders and up to 50 Priority Population homeless students annually (up to 300 total).

Activities and Services: GEAR UP services include: 1) tutoring and mentoring; 2) summer programs to promote transition to high school and, later, transition to college; 3) professional development for teachers in core academic areas; 4) college and financial aid awareness workshops for students/parents; 5) visits to a variety of colleges; 6) counseling and advising related to college and career; 7) academic services in high school so that students do not need remediation in college; and 8) outreach to help high school graduates as they transition to postsecondary education.

According to our most recent survey, GUV students and parents found college visits, educational field trips, tutoring, and financial workshops most helpful for helping students decide what to do after graduation.

GEAR UP Virginia Student Demographics (based upon 2016-17 Annual Performance Report):

• 6% of students are considered to be English Learners (EL)
• 13% of GUV students have an Individualized Educational Program (IEP)
• 10% of GUV students are Latino
• 58% of GUV students are African American
• 67% average free/reduced lunch eligibility rate among GUV schools

GEAR UP Scholarship: GUV students are eligible to receive a one-time award of up to $2,000 and no less than $600 for one term, depending on their college enrollment level (full-time, three-quarter-time, half-time, and less than half-time).

GEAR UP Virginia Quick Facts (based upon 2016-17 Annual Performance Report):

• 97% of GUV students were promoted to the 9th grade at the end of last school year.
• 27% of GUV parents participated in at least one GEAR UP activity in the past year.
• 64% of GUV students visited a college campus in the 9^th Grade.
• 6 GUV students represented Virginia in July 2018 at the National GEAR UP Youth Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.
• 2 GUV parents represented Virginia in July 2018 at the National GEAR UP Parent Leadership Institute

GEAR UP Virginia 2014-2021 Participating Divisions

*Divisions participating in the homeless youth services pilot initiative (priority)

Partners:   Virginia Department of Education, Project Hope – Education for Homeless Children and Youth, University of Virginia, University of Richmond, Virginia State University, Virginia Tech, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Mary Baldwin College, Norfolk State University, James Madison University, Randolph College, Virginia Community College System, Virginia Latino Higher Education Network, Virginia College Access Network, ACT, College Board, Virginia College Savings Plan, participating school divisions and other program stakeholders from surrounding communities.

News Releases About GEAR UP Virginia

U.S. Department of Education announces GEAR UP grants awards