Welcome to 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 also provides professional development for educators within GEAR UP target schools.