Welcome New Jersey GEAR UP

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a discretionary grant program funded by the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education. Its goal is to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.

The NJ GEAR UP State Project has been awarded to the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education twice: in 1999 and 2005. In its efforts to prepare students for college, the project works with students, families, and teachers in 30 middle and high schools in five urban centers. Each city is served by a higher education partner institution.

These institutions encourage students to obtain college degrees by providing a variety of services including: after-school and Saturday tutoring, summer programs, mentoring, counseling, test preparation, information about financial aid, and college visits. The initiative also emphasizes the importance of taking rigorous high school courses to prepare for postsecondary education and includes scholarships for students who attend eligible New Jersey institutions.

NJ GEAR UP State Project Programs

Urban Center
Higher Education Partner
Camden Rowan University
Jersey City New Jersey City University
Paterson
 Passaic County Community College
Trenton Mercer County Community College
Newark

The Consortium for Pre-College Education
in Greater Newark, comprised of:

  • New Jersey Institute of Technology
  • Rutgers University-Newark
  • The University of Medicine and
    Dentistry of New Jersey

NJ GEAR UP students are also eligible for the state’s Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program, which provides financial assistance and support services including a summer program before the freshman year in college. New Jersey's financial aid agency, the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, partners with NJ GEAR UP to provide information about how to pay for college in New Jersey.

Parents and teachers of NJ GEAR UP students benefit as well. Parents receive early information about postsecondary education options and availability of financial aid, while teachers receive professional development in core content areas.

Read more about the services offered or contact us for more information.

GEAR UP News
© 2006 New Jersey Commission on Higher Education