1. Orientation: Spring 2015

2. “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs”

3. 1. Increase the academic performance and preparation for college for GEAR UP students 2. Increase the rate of high school graduation and participation in college for GEAR UP students 3. Increase GEAR UP students’ and their families’ knowledge of college options, preparation, and financing

4. @Walker-Grant Middle School  Tutoring  Mentoring  Academic Interventions  College Tours  Financial Aid Workshops for Parents  Summer School STEM Program  College Scholarships

5. Who is the program for?  Current cohort of 7 th grade students Who has access to GEAR UP Programs?  All students in the cohort

6. How long does the program last?  Program follows the current 7 th grade through the first year of college How do students earn a college scholarship?  Students who graduate and are accepted to a 2-year or 4-year institution receive the equivalent of a Pell Grant if they qualify for student aid

7. What about students in other grades—how do they benefit?  The GEAR UP program is focused on data- driven decisions and community partnerships aimed to sustain initiatives established through the given cohort

8. General Information about applying to college and financial aid:  https://studentaid.ed.gov/ https://studentaid.ed.gov/  https://www.collegeboard.org/ https://www.collegeboard.org/  http://www.act.org/ http://www.act.org/  http://www.schev.edu/GEARUP/Resourcesf orStudents.asp http://www.schev.edu/GEARUP/Resourcesf orStudents.asp  http://www.ownyourownfuture.com/ http://www.ownyourownfuture.com/

9. Federal government website on GEAR UP  http://www2.ed.gov/programs/gearup/inde x.html http://www2.ed.gov/programs/gearup/inde x.html Virginia’s website on GEAR UP  http://www.schev.edu/gearup/ http://www.schev.edu/gearup/

10.  Questions?  Volunteers?