GEAR UP Program

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally funded grant program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education and career readiness. VU GEAR UP is currently serving nine school districts and thousands of underserved students in the state of South Carolina.

Voorhees University GEAR UP provides a seven-year partnership grant to provide services at high-poverty middle and high schools. GEAR UP serve an entire cohort of students beginning no later than the seventh grade and follow the cohort throughout high school and possibly through the first year of college. GEAR UP funds are also used to supply college scholarships to low-income students and their families by providing high-quality educational opportunities to help them embrace collaboration, problem-solving, and working through their creative processes.

Voorhees GEAR UP is a comprehensive, research-based project designed to fill gaps in school programs, meet the needs of low-income students and families, raise achievement, improve graduation rates, increase college enrollment, and prepare our youth for successful careers and their future roles as productive, adult members of society.