Apply for GEAR UP

Gear UP students on a bridge at the Botanic GardensGEAR UP Gets You to College and More!

GEAR UP’s mission is to help you graduate from high school, be successful in college, and achieve your dreams! Here are just some of the things we do to help you:

  • Meet one-on-one and in small groups at school to discuss your academic progress and tools to get where you want to go
  • Host family nights to help parents and other caregivers learn how to pay for college
  • Provide free ACT prep for high school students
  • Arrange job site visits for all students

GEAR UP supports students and families through high school graduation and beyond. Joining the program is simple – just fill out the short application below. Processing applications takes about four weeks.


Income Eligibility

GEAR UP is an income-eligible program. Our income requirements for July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 are:

Household Size

Annual Income

1 $27,861
2 $37,814
3 $47,767
4 $57,720
5 $67,673
6 $77,626
7 $87,579
8 $97,532
For each additional person, add  $9,953