In 2017, Washington State GEAR UP was awarded a seven-year, $24.5 million grant to increase college readiness and success for 5,500 low-income students through the Washington State GEAR UP Program.
GEAR UP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. The Washington Student Achievement Council administers the grant in partnership with 26 low-income school districts, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, colleges and universities, and Washington State Employees Credit Union.
Working in partnership with local school districts, GEAR UP provides tutoring, mentoring, college and career counseling, college visits, family activities, financial aid awareness, and other research-proven activities and services to help more students enroll and succeed in college.
We also provide professional development to teachers, counselors, and administrators to build program sustainability beyond the life of the grant. For more info, visit www.gearup.wa.gov.