What is GEAR UP? (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs)
The Ferris State University GEAR UP/College Day Program targets Baldwin
Community Schools, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Morley-Stanwood Public
Schools, Muskegon Public Schools and Muskegon Heights Public Schools to
offer students the academic skills, information and encouragement they
need to not only graduate from high school, but apply and attend an
institution of higher education. We begin working with these students
in their 7th grade year and follow them through high school graduation.
Through this program's goals, our students will not only succeed in and
outside the classroom, but will gain the skills necessary to be a
graduate from an institution of higher education. GEAR UP is funded
nationally by the U.S. Department of Education, by the State of
Michigan's Department of Labor and Economic Growth, and locally by its
project partners. GEAR UP facilitates student tutoring and mentoring,
offers workshops for college preparation and financial aid, and assists
schools and teachers to better prepare students for college studies.
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Financial Preparation:
GEAR UP helps students and their parents to apply for tuition
assistance and compete for valuable scholarships. GEAR UP offers campus
trips to all publicly funded higher education institutions including:
Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Central Michigan
University, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, etc.
Students will participate in ceremonies for academic achievement, summer
workshops and camps which focus on making students educational goals
attainable.
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Academic Readiness:
GEAR UP helps students strengthen their knowledge for
college level courses by providing academic advising, mentoring, and
hands-on experience with college professors. Additionally, students
will be prepared for college entrance exams; and, the GEAR UP/College
Day team will provide opportunities for enhanced teacher trainings at
our GEAR UP sites.
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