Get Ahead, Get Started

If you are a student, parent, guardian or educator, you can increase college and career readiness with GEAR UP CT, a federally-funded grant program that helps empower local communities to inspire students to think beyond what they see today.
GEAR UP CT provides the tools, resources and programs to help low-income students starting as early as 7th grade in East Hartford, Meriden and Waterbury increase their success in education.

Click Here
to start your journey...

What is GEAR UP CT?

“The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)" initiative is one of the largest and most effective programs focused on increasing the college and career readiness of low-income students in communities nationwide. GEAR UP is a highly competitive grant program that helps empower local partnerships comprised of K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, state agencies, and community organizations to achieve three strategic goals.

These goals are:

1. Increase postsecondary expectations and readiness of students.
2. Improve high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment rates.
3. Increase student and family knowledge of postsecondary options, preparation, and financial aid.

Services include but not limited to:

• Tutoring / Mentoring
• College Awareness / Virtual Tours
• Testing Preparation
• Summer Programming
• Career Planning / Workshops
• College Planning
• Financial Aid Workshops

GEAR UP builds capacity within communities to ensure that underserved students have the opportunity, skills, and knowledge to successfully pursue the education and training that will enable them to achieve their career and life goals. Our committed GEAR UP teams along with partner colleges and school districts will work towards a future where all students are empowered and equipped with the education and training needed to succeed in a diverse and global society.