NH GEAR UP Alliance
The New Hampshire GEAR UP Alliance is a community-based initiative that helps low-income students prepare for and succeed in college. The program engages a broad coalition of colleges and universities, secondary schools, businesses, and volunteers to develop students’ academic and life skills.
The New Hampshire College & University Council manages the New Hampshire GEAR UP Alliance in partnership with Campus Compact for New Hampshire. It also leverages federal funds through the U.S. Department of Education and AmeriCorps.
Expanding College Access
GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federal program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. NHCUC developed the NH GEAR UP Alliance through two multi-year federal grants to administer high-impact programs in school districts across the state.
A multi-faceted collaboration to support student success.
THE NH GEAR UP ALLIANCE WORKS TO:
Provide opportunities for underrepresented students to develop skills that are critical for accessing higher education.
Design an academic model that aligns K–12 and higher education course content expectations to increase college enrollment and preparedness.
Build an academic bridge between high schools, colleges, and businesses to prepare students for success in school and in the workforce.
Create a college-going culture that lets every student embrace the idea that college is possible.
Develop and sustain a commitment from businesses, high schools, colleges, and parents to make NH students college ready.
Broad Reach for High Impact
The NH GEAR UP Alliance helps thousands of middle and high school students in New Hampshire succeed in school. Current GEAR UP programming reaches:
Students
Schools
Districts
Building Skills for Success
The NH GEAR UP Alliance provides training and support in school and through summer, evening, and other programs. The guiding framework for these programs includes both academic and non-academic skill building:
Academic rigor
Offering a rigorous curriculum with the appropriate mix of content areas, critical thinking, and writing skills.
College matching
Counseling students to research, apply to, and attend schools that are a good match for them academically, socially, and financially.
Social skills
Supporting students in developing critical social and emotional skills to allow them to persist in the face of obstacles.
Financial aid
Providing students and families with tools to be active participants in finding financial aid and scholarship resources.