ATLANTA— Georgia State University’s Perimeter College has been awarded a seven-year GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) grant.
GEAR UP Georgia, a U.S. Department of Education grant, is administered by the University System of Georgia on behalf of the Governor’s office.
GEAR UP Georgia seeks to increase the academic performance of high-need middle and high school students while keeping an eye toward college readiness.
The Perimeter College GEAR UP program will follow students from DeKalb County middle schools’ seventh grades through their first year of college, providing supportive services to help them receive their high school diploma, prepare for postsecondary education and prepare for careers. This support includes scholarship opportunities, tutoring and mentoring, and financial literacy programs.
GEAR UP was announced on May 17 on the Clarkston Campus by Dawn Cooper, University System of Georgia assistant vice chancellor of college access initiatives and GEAR UP Georgia project director, and Vasanne Tinsley, DeKalb County Schools deputy superintendent.
Thinking about college as early as seventh grade is part of the GEAR UP Georgia’s mission.
“We want to help you be successful. Most of the jobs in the future will require some sort of postsecondary education,” Cooper said. “We don’t want to wait until your senior year to share the importance of college. I want you guys to challenge yourselves.”
Said DeKalb Schools’ Tinsley, “We’re pleased we’re in this partnership, and super excited to start with our students in the seventh grade and walk with them through to college.”
GEAR UP differs from other federal pre-college programs because it requires in-kind commitment from local community partners. Its goals are to:
- Increase participants’ academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education.
- Increase the high school graduation rate and enrollment of participants in a postsecondary institution.
- Increase participants' and their families' knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation and financing.
Perimeter College will work with DeKalb County Schools students at Cedar Grove Middle, Chapel Hill Middle School, DeKalb Alternative School, DeKalb PATH Academy Charter School, International Student Center, Lithonia Middle School, Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School, McNair Middle School, Miller Grove Middle School, Redan Middle School, Salem Middle School and Stone Mountain Middle School.
The college will host an all-school kick off of the program in the fall.