1. education
2. graduate school
3. college

GEARing UP @ TBA
Newport News Public Schools
WHAT IS GEAR UP?
Gaining
Early
Awareness and
Readiness for
Undergraduate
Programs
U.S. Department of
Education federal
grant program
designed to
significantly increase
the number of students
who are prepared to
enter and succeed in
postsecondary
education.
VIRGINIA AWARDED GEAR UP GRANT
Virginia is one of ten states awarded federal
funds through the GEAR UP 2014 grant
competition.
The State Council of Higher Education for
Virginia (SCHEV) applied for and will administer
the grant in the Commonwealth
$22.4 million total award
 2014-2021 (7-year performance period)
 $3.4 million for 2014-15
 Serving nearly 6,000 students

GEAR UP VIRGINIA (GUV)
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7th Grade Cohort
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Serving 16 districts, beginning in 29 middle schools,
including AADMS, Crittenden, Dozier, Hines, Huntington
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Supporting students from 7th grade (2014-15 academic
year) through their first year of college (2020-21)
Priority Students

Serving homeless students, as defined by the
McKinney-Vento Act
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Supporting 50 homeless high school seniors, annually, as
they prepare for life after high school and enter
postsecondary education
Priority partner school districts include:
Lynchburg, Newport News, Petersburg, Roanoke
WHY GEAR UP IN VIRGINIA?
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Better odds for a better job… 64% of Virginia’s jobs
will require a post-secondary credential by 2018.
It pays to stay in school… Individuals with higher
levels of education earn more and are more likely
than others to be employed.
More benefits, literally… Jobs for college graduates
typically offer more and better health insurance
and retirement plans, leading to a better quality of
life, than those available for lower-skilled jobs.
Sources: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce and College Board, Education Pays 2013
5
GEAR UP VIRGINIA GOALS
Improve the academic performance
and college preparation of students
 Increase the number of students in rigorous
courses
 Increase knowledge of college and financial
aid among students and their families
 Improve college readiness rates
 Increase college enrollment rates

GEAR UP VIRGINIA SERVICES
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Study skills development
Summer academic academies
College tours
Academic course advising
Career and academic planning
Parent engagement/Monthly Family Meetings
Tutoring
Mentoring
Resource mapping
First year of college support
Personal assessments/inventories
College application assistance
FAFSA completion assistance
Scholarships
GEAR UP VIRGINIA SCHOLARSHIP
Amount
 At least the amount of the minimum Pell Grant
award
Use
 Tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment
required for enrollment, and expenses for
special needs services in connection with
enrollment/attendance
 Paid to the institution
SCHOLARSHIP COMPONENT
Student Eligibility
 GUV participant
 Earned a high school diploma or recognized
equivalent
 Enrolled in an undergraduate program at a
Virginia institution of higher education
 Less than 22 years old at the time of award
SUPPORT PARTNERS
Professional School Counselors
College Career Specialist
Urban Learning & Leadership Center (ULLC)
Oasis Counseling Center
Graduate Counseling Interns (HU)
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU?
STUDENT
Stay enrolled in school… Attend!
 Do your best and take advantage of presented
opportunities, even if they are challenging
 Participate in program activities
 Communicate needs, accomplishments and
goals
 Prepare for life after high school (now)
 Apply to postsecondary institution(s)
 Complete the FAFSA
 Believe in yourself!

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU?
PARENT
Support the future!
Support participation in GUV!
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Help your student develop good homework habits
Help your student learn how to manage stress and
recognize stress triggers
Help your student learn to think long-term
Help your student develop interests and take on
challenges
Help your student stay focused on completion
Help your student become independent and self-reliant
Communicate needs, accomplishments and goals
Believe in your child!
RELEASE OF INFORMATION FORM
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Follow the performance and progress of GEAR UP
participants through high school.
This signed form will allow our program staff to receive
copies of your child’s school academic and attendance
records
All information collected under this program will remain
confidential and will be protected in accordance with
state and federal statutes
The form will serve as the only records release form valid
from the date signed until high school graduation
Student information will be used for:
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tracking program goals
reporting outcomes
designing program support services
CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION
Upon receipt of the signed records released form,
each student will receive a 21st Century Scholars
certificate to officially acknowledge participation in
the 2014-2021 GEAR UP Virginia program.
*Students who do not submit a signed records
release form, as requested, during their 7th
grade year, are not considered as GUV
participants. They will not be tracked
individually or afforded the direct benefits and
services of the 2014-21 program.
QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU
Eric Hairston, School Counselor
eric.hairston@nn.k12.va.us
757-591-4971 x28532