The Iowa Department of Education was awarded a $25.8 million federal GEAR UP grant to prepare students for postsecondary success
The University of Iowa will again serve as a partner institution for the GEAR UP Iowa program, an initiative to increase college access for students from low-income backgrounds.
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a $25.8 million grant to the Iowa Department of Education for its seven-year GEAR UP Iowa 3.0 proposal. About 7,500 students from 13 Iowa school districts will benefit from the program, receiving support from seventh grade through high school graduation in 2029 and into their first year of college.
"We are grateful for this federal investment in our work to provide students most in-need of support with critical services as they meet high expectations in middle school and beyond," said McKenzie Snow, director of the Iowa Department of Education.
Half of the funding, along with more than $8 million in partner contributions, will be dedicated to scholarships for GEAR UP Iowa students to pursue up to four years of postsecondary education and training beyond high school. The remaining federal funds will be provided to the participating school districts to expand college and career readiness education for students, enhance college and career counseling, address basic needs for students and families, and provide individualized college and career advising.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with GEAR UP Iowa and GEAR UP districts across the state,” said Angie Lamb, associate director of Academic Support and Retention and GEAR UP Iowa college partner liaison for the UI.
As a partner college, the UI will provide additional support to GEAR UP students and families, which could include information about going to college, special campus visit opportunities, college transition programs, and additional scholarships for students who ultimately choose to attend UI.
Gearing Up for Graduation
Many students from the GEAR UP Iowa 2.0 cohort are preparing to earn their college degree from the University of Iowa in spring 2024.
“GEAR UP’s central objective—preparing Iowa’s students to enroll in and graduate from college—aligns closely with the university’s mission and core values,” said Lamb. “As an institution, we are committed to improving equitable access to educational opportunities in the state of Iowa and cultivating partnerships with K-12 schools. Participation in the GEAR UP program helps the university actively engage in efforts to enhance college readiness and academic success among all of Iowa’s students.”
This is the third federal grant to support GEAR UP Iowa, with previous grants in 2014 and 2008. The UI was a partner school for the 2014 program, and many students from that cohort (GEAR UP Iowa 2.0) are preparing to graduate in spring 2024.
The GEAR UP Iowa 2.0 program included 327 first-year students from across the state who started at the UI in fall 2020. Students were eligible for up to $1,200 in scholarships each year through the program, with the university providing a matching scholarship. The students also received tailored college transition programming, a stipend for textbook purchases, peer mentoring, and academic coaching. More than 40% of UI GEAR UP students from the 2020 cohort were first-generation college students, and 31% identified as being part of an underrepresented minority group.
Since their start at Iowa in 2020, the state and university have combined to distribute a total of $4.14 million in GEAR UP scholarships to more than 275 students.