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Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs
GEAR UP has two major service components.
All projects provide a comprehensive set of early intervention services including mentoring, tutoring, academic and career counseling, services to increase parental involvement, and other college preparation activities like exposure to college campuses and financial aid information and assistance.
Some projects provide college scholarships to participating students.
- Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (State Grants) CFDA Number 84.334S
- Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (Partnership Grants) CFDA Number 84.334A
- Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (Partnership Grants) CFDA Number 84.334A
- Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (State Grants) CFDA Number 84.334S
- Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP): College Savings Account Research Demonstration Project CFDA Number 84.334D
The Department of Education ensures equal access to education and promotes educational excellence through coordination, management and accountability in Federal education programs. The Department works to supplement and complement educational efforts on all levels, encouraging increased involvement by the public, parents and students.
Selected Recipients for this Program
| Recipient | Amount | Start Date | End Date | |
| Oregon State University | $ 18,432,700 | 2014-09-25 | 2025-09-24 | |
| New York State Higher Education | $ 22,636,000 | 2014-09-25 | 2025-09-24 | |
| State Council Of Higher Education For Virginia | $ 22,652,832 | 2014-09-25 | 2025-09-24 | |
| University Of Alabama At Birmingham | $ 24,732,700 | 2014-09-25 | 2025-09-24 | |
| University Of Maine System | $ 20,031,644 | 2014-09-25 | 2025-09-24 | |
| Iowa College Student Aid Commission | $ 22,612,041 | 2014-09-25 | 2025-09-24 | |
| Executive Office State Of Ohio | $ 24,732,747 | 2014-09-25 | 2025-09-24 | |
| State System Of Higher Education, Pa | $ 20,413,922 | 2014-09-25 | 2025-09-24 | |
| West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission | $ 21,241,351 | 2014-09-25 | 2025-09-24 | |
| Los Angeles Unified School District | $ 7,081,091 | 2020-02-13 | 2021-09-30 |
Program Accomplishments
Not Applicable.
Uses and Use Restrictions
(1) State Grants.
States receiving funds are required (unless they receive a waiver) to provide both the early intervention services and a scholarship component, targeted to low-income students in grades K-12.
At least 50 percent, but not more than 75 percent, of the grant funds must be used to provide scholarships to participating students.
Conversely, at least 25 percent, but not more than 50 percent, of the funds must be used for required and permissible activities.
To meet the matching requirement, States must cover at least 50 percent of the project costs with cash or in-kind contributions from non-Federal sources.
(2) Partnership Grants.
Eligible partnerships consist of one or more local educational agencies and one or more degree granting institutions of higher education and not less than two other community organizations or entities such as businesses, professional organizations, State agencies, institutions, or other public or private agencies or organizations.
Partnerships receiving funds are not required to provide a scholarship component.
However, they are required to provide services to at least one cohort or grade level of students beginning no later than the 7th grade, in a school that has a 7th grade, and in which at least 50 percent of the students enrolled are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, or to an entire grade level of students, not later than the 7th grade, who reside in public housing.
This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate, which is referenced under 34 CFR 76.564-76.569.
For assistance call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group at (202) 708-7770.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
A State, or a partnership consisting of one or more local educational agencies one or more degree granting institutions of higher education; and at least two community organizations or entities, such as businesses, professional associations, community-based organizations, philanthropic organizations, State agencies, parent groups, and/or nonprofit organizations.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Low-income students and students in high-poverty schools.
Credentials/Documentation
OMB Circular No. A-21 applies. OMB Circular No. A-122 applies. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is required.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, 'Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.' An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedures
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. In any fiscal year in which funds are available for new awards, the Department of Education publishes a notice in the Federal Register inviting applications and establishing a deadline date.
Award Procedures
Peer review panels composed of representatives from public and private higher education, and State, and local education agencies having expertise in elementary, secondary, and higher education.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 2.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Notification usually is made within 4 months of the deadline for submission of applications.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Applications for renewal of multi-year projects are processed and funded before those for new projects. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching Requirements: The statute requires a cash or in-kind match from non-Federal sources. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grants are made for up to 7 years, subject to the availability of funds. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) for direct grant programs (34 CFR 75).
Generally, annual performance and financial reports are required.
Cash reports are not applicable.
Annual performance reports are required as part of the submittal of form ED 524B.
Annual expenditures reports are required as part of the submittal of form ED 524B.
Staff also monitor grant drawdown using agency financial reports.
Reporting on performance measures is required as part of the submittal of form ED 524B.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503.
Records
EDGAR for direct grant programs (34 CFR part 75). Generally, records related to grant funds, compliance and performance must be maintained for a period of 3 years after completion of the grant.
Financial Information
Account Identification
91-0201-0-1-502.
Obigations
(Project Grants) FY 16 $322,588,000; FY 17 est $338,831,000; and FY 18 est $218,817,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
State grants: Average award in FY 16, $3,650,024. Partnership grants: Average award in FY 16, $1,840,065.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Education Department General Administrative Regulations, EDGAR; 34 CFR 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99 and 34 CFR Part 694; OMB Circulars A-21, A-87, A-110, A-122, and A-133.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Karmon Simms-Coates, State Service, Office of Postsecondary Education, College Access Challenge Grant Program, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: karmon.simms-coates@ed.gov Phone: (202) 453-7197
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not Applicable.
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