We're preparing students to succeed in postsecondary education in 13 school districts across Iowa. 🎓 Department of Treasury's American Rescue Plan.
The Iowa Department of Education's Bureau of Iowa College Aid has received a series of grants to support the establishment of GEAR UP (Gaining Early Access and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) Iowa, a program supporting underserved students to prepare, enroll and persist through college. Through these grants and partnerships with local school districts, students and their families receive a v
10/10/2025
Looking back at the great work Columbus Community Schools did in celebrating GEAR UP Week!
Students created a banner titled, "GEAR UP! The Future is in our Hands", where they wrote some of their goals and dreams for their future. Students also enjoyed donuts and Sunny D with the messages, "Donut Stop Believin' In Your GEAR UP Dreams," and "The Future Is Bright and Sunny With GEAR UP.'"
10/09/2025
GEAR UP Iowa students from South Tama County Community School District recently took part in career experiences and exposure as they worked with a local pharmacist to learn about the science behind hand sanitizer and a local salon owner to produce and experiment with the effects of hair dye.
09/26/2025
National GEAR UP Week is also about showing students the multiple postsecondary and career pathways available to them.
Friday, students from South Tama County Community School District visited the Aveda Institute to learn more about its programs and cosmetology careers. Students toured the school and visited classrooms, spa and the cosmetology floor.
As an added bonus, their visit was hosted by a recent South Tama graduate and GEAR UP Iowa student.
09/26/2025
GEAR UP Iowa supports students well beyond high school. Students from the GEAR UP Iowa 1.0 and 2.0 cohorts received $34.1 million in scholarship support.
09/26/2025
GEAR UP Iowa helps students in Clinton unwrap their future When students at Clinton High School were handed bananas with their lunch this week, they were receiving more than a healthy snack.
09/26/2025
As we wrap up National GEAR UP Week, the important work of GEAR UP Iowa continues in helping students achieve their goals and dreams.
09/25/2025
GEAR UP Week activities continue as more than 100 students from six GEAR UP Iowa districts visited the University of Iowa this week.
Students toured campus, ate in the dining halls, engaged with a professors and participated in academic sessions led by the College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and UI Health Care.
09/25/2025
Last year, GEAR UP Iowa helped provide more than 11 million minutes of support to GEAR UP Iowa 3.0 students.
09/25/2025
GEAR UP Iowa provides intensive individual support to support to students to guide them through their journey to postsecondary education or training.
09/24/2025
GEAR UP Iowa makes sure students are prepared to thrive and excel in postsecondary education and training by providing nearly 3 million minutes of academic support last year.
09/24/2025
As part of National GEAR UP Week, GEAR UP Iowa students visited Grand View University to experience a day on campus and learn about the career opportunities Grand View can create for them.
09/24/2025
GEAR UP Iowa achieves transformational change one student at a time by helping them overcome barriers to postsecondary education.