Kentucky: Council on Postsecondary Education

GEAR UP Kentucky

Purpose
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federally-funded program that encourages middle and high school students to stay in school, study hard, and take the right courses to go to college.
Partners
- Partner Identification and Match Pledge Form
  Those interested in forming a partnership with GEARUP should complete this form and return to the Council on Postsecondary Education along with a description of proposed partnership with GEAR UP Kentucky-II
Description
GEAR UP Kentucky is focused on improving the skills of at-risk students and influencing their educational choices through enhanced guidance and support. GEAR UP also helps students prepare and plan for college and become aware of financial aid opportunities.

GEAR UP works with partnerships of schools, colleges, businesses, community, and non-profit organizations. Partners provide early intervention services for students and work to transform the culture of a school so that every student is prepared for and encouraged to pursue college. Also, GEAR UP supports entire cohorts of students (all students in one grade), beginning in the seventh grade and ending the freshman year of college.

The U.S. Department of Education awarded Kentucky a GEAR UP grant in 2000 for $10 million. Cash and in-kind services from state and other sources provide an additional $10 million to the program. In 2005, GEAR UP Kentucky received an additional $21 million funding for five years, again matched from state and other sources for a total of $42 million. The Council on Postsecondary Education administers the grant.
Contact
Yvonne Lovell
Council on Postsecondary Education
Phone: (502) 573-1555 ext. 136
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