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GEAR UP stands for "Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for
Undergraduate Programs." Supported with federal funds, GEAR UP has two major
goals:
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to help low-income students prepare for success in college,
and
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to provide college scholarships for eligible high school
seniors.
GEAR UP in Connecticut is a partnership between the Connecticut
Department of Higher Education and Bridgeport and New Haven public
schools. Begun in 1999 with 7th grade students from 14 elementary and middle
schools, GEAR UP now serves students in grade 7 - 12 in 19 schools.
Participating schools include:
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Bridgeport: Bassick High, Central High, Cross, Curiale,
Dunbar, Harding High, Longfellow, Marin and Roosevelt
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New Haven: Betsy Ross Arts, Career High, Clemente
Middle, Cross High, Fair Haven Middle, J. Robinson Middle, Hillhouse High,
Sheridan Academy and Troup Middle
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The MAAX (Maximizing Adolescent Academic eXcellence) –
MAAX helps 8th grade students achieve academic excellence and learn about
college. Topics include Managing School Transitions, Exploring
College, Establishing a Positive Identity and Commitment to
Learning. In some schools MAAX is built into the 8th grade
curricula. MAAX is soon to be expanded to 9th graders.
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Saturday Academy – offers fun, hands-on learning for
7th and 8th graders and their parents in math, science, communications and
computer technology. Students explore their cultural heritage, go on
field grips, travel to college and career fairs and make lasting friendships.
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College Explorations Workshops – early college
awareness activities offered for all 7th and 8th graders
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Transition Workshops – to help 8th graders improve
study skills, select courses and get advice from high school students and
counselors.
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High School Programs – designed to keep high school
students on the college track through college planning, mentoring and SAT
preparation (currently under development)
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Parent Activities – workshops to help parents become
informed, guiding forces in their children's education. Topics include
Children and Success, What Parents Should Know; Getting Your Child on the
Path to College, Riding the Coaster of Change, A Survival Guide for Middle
School Parents and Financial Aid 101.
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Summer Programs – a wide range of activities such as
fields trips, college fairs and community service. Gateway Community College
is home for New Haven's summer GEAR UP program and now offers foreign language
and computer technology training. Housatonic Community College helps
students explore health careers.
All 7th and 8th graders at participating schools in New Haven
and Bridgeport are
automatically considered GEAR UP members. Upon entering high school, students
must complete a GEAR UP Enrollment Form and participate in GEAR UP activities,
to be eligible for possible GEAR UP incentives and scholarships.
GEAR UP College Scholarships are awarded to students from
participating schools, after they
have been accepted into a college or university of their choice and have
received a financial award letter from that school. To be eligible, a
student must:
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be a United States citizen and a permanent resident of the
State of Connecticut and be less than 22 years of age at the time of the
first scholarship award,
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be enrolled as a full-time freshman at an accredited college
or university, and
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have demonstrated financial need as documented by the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be eligible for a federal
Pell Grant.
GEAR UP College Scholarship applications are available at
ConnCAP offices. Program administrators must complete the program
verification portion of the application attesting to a student's program
participation. Scholarship applications will be accepted from January 1 to
March 30.
GEAR UP College Scholarship awards will be forwarded to the
recipient's college or university upon notification of the applicant's full-time
matriculation in September.
Please contact one of the GEAR UP Network Coordinators or
administrators listed below.
Bridgeport: University of Bridgeport 203/576-4214
New Haven: Southern Connecticut State University
203/392-5599
GEAR UP Project Director:
Arthur Poole 860/947-1833
GEAR UP Program Manager:
Harold "Dean" Davis 203/576-4214
GEAR UP College Scholarship:
Judy-Ann Staple 860/947-1853
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