Southeastern Louisiana University

Southeastern GEAR UP

Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs

What is GEAR UP?

Housed at Hammond Junior High School, the mission of GEAR UP is to significantly increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. This cannot be done without providing a rigorous academic curriculum to all students. In addition, well-qualified, knowledgeable teachers to teach this rigorous curriculum must be the norm, not the exception, in low-income schools. Furthermore, all students must receive information and knowledge about postsecondary options and financial aid, and must receive assistance in taking steps towards admission.

GEAR UP is a vehicle for implementing these changes. The GEAR UP program is unique among federal early intervention programs in that its Partnership grants focus on cohorts of low-income students, rather than on distinct individual students, and the cohorts begin no later than the seventh grade. It requires partnerships among colleges and universities, schools, and outside organizations, and requires a dollar-for-dollar match to ensure commitment and build capacity. All of these unique requirements of the GEAR UP program compel school systems and postsecondary institutions to focus on systemic change; it ensures that all students are held to high standards and receive the necessary academic core curriculum that is needed to go to postsecondary education and succeed.