#GEARUPworks

WHAT IS GEAR UP?
GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a grant program created and funded by Congress and administered by the U.S. Department of Education. GEAR UP helps students from low-income communities prepare for and succeed in education and training beyond high school so they can achieve their career goals. 

What GEAR UP Kentucky has provided, 2000-2025:

WHO DOES GEAR UP SERVE?
GEAR UP serves over 500,000 students at almost 3,000 schools across the country. Programs start in middle school and continue through a student's first year of education beyond high school. 

The state GEAR UP grant is GEAR UP Kentucky; it has been administered by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education since 2000. There are three additional GEAR UP partnership grants in Kentucky, one administered by West Kentucky Educational Cooperative and two led by Partners for Rural Impact in eastern Kentucky. More than 53,000 Kentucky students are currently being served by GEAR UP programs in 59 school districts.

GEAR UP Kentucky currently serves 4,000 students in 12 districts and 9 colleges/universities.

Who GEAR UP Kentucky has served/partnered with, 2000-2025:

WHY IS GEAR UP IMPORTANT?

1 | Expands Opportunity & Increases Mobility

GEAR UP opens doors to opportunity for students and their famililes by providing guidance on post-high school pathways.

GEAR UP student alumni and family share their experiences (click on images to view videos):

2 | Promotes Workforce Development & Economic Growth

Kentucky projections indicate that, by 2031, 63% of jobs in the state will require education or training beyond high school. By increasing career and college readiness, GEAR UP contributes to a stronger workforce and economic growth. The program helps prepare students for the demands of the 21st-century job market, benefiting both individuals and the local and national economy. 

GEAR UP Kentucky aligns with Kentucky’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act State Plan that looks to increase career exploration opportunities and awareness of market-relevant career pathways for K-12 students. For example, we offer career exploration activities, college and career advising, job site visits and career-focused field trips to middle and high school students. GEAR UP Kentucky exposes students to a broad range of postsecondary education and training options – from short-term certification programs and apprenticeships to 2-and 4-year degree programs.

3 | Allows for Local Control & Flexibility

GEAR UP empowers local communities to determine their specific needs and how best to address them. This allows for tailored solutions rather than a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach from the federal government. GEAR UP brings resources that provide employment and enrichment in local communities. 

GEAR UP Kentucky employs 32 staff from the communities we serve and supports more than 450 educators in our local schools. We work with school administrators and staff to identify and meet the unique needs of students and families.  

4 | Demonstrates a Proven Track Record & Gets Results 

GEAR UP has demonstrated a history of success, serving millions of students and improving academic outcomes for over 25 years. It's not a new or experimental program, but rather a long-standing initiative with a track record of increasing post-high school readiness and enrollment rates among low-income students. The program emphasizes data-driven, research-based interventions.

Some results from GEAR UP Kentucky from the past 25 years:

5 | Builds Community Investments & Partnerships

GEAR UP fosters collaboration between K-12 schools, higher education institutions, state agencies, industry, and community organizations. It requires a dollar-for-dollar match from non-federal sources, ensuring local "buy-in" and maximizing the return on taxpayer investment. 

Since 2000, GEAR UP KY has engaged 250 businesses, agencies and organizations at the statewide and local levels to support students in becoming ready for a successful transition to post-high school education and training. To date, we have matched our federal funding with $81 million in local dollars. 

When the FAFSA release was delayed in the 2023-24 school year, GEAR UP KY partnered with Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) and Kentucky State University to produce this commercial, which ran statewide: