Scholarship and Achievement Grant GEAR UP Virginia Scholarship and Achievement Grant

By the Numbers In 2006, GEAR UP Virginia was implemented in 37 middle schools serving more than 4,900 seventh graders. In 2008, our program transitioned into 36 high schools. At the start of 2011, GEAR UP had 3,526 participating seniors. 1200 GEAR UP seniors applied for a GEAR UP award.

GEAR UP Virginia Scholarship 600 Recipients for 2012-13 Annual award of at least the maximum Pell grant award (FY13 = $5,550) Potential 5 years of eligibility

Funding $15,377,302.43 Available Combination of federal dollars, investment earnings, and state match

Eligibility Requirements A member of the original 7th grade GEAR UP class in 2006-07. An active participant in GEAR UP-endorsed program activities. Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above. Graduate with a high school diploma from a participating GEAR UP school. Accepted and enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate degree, diploma, or certification program at an eligible institution. Successfully completed a 2012-13 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligible for and awarded the federal Pell Grant. Submitted a complete GEAR UP award application and all required documents to SCHEV by March 31, 2012.

GEAR UP Achievement Grant In addition to the GEAR UP Scholarships, funds are available for GEAR UP Achievement Grants. One time $2,000 grant for educational expenses 400 Recipients Same requirements as the Scholarship, except Pell – eligibility not required.

Outreach SCHEV provided several training opportunities for high school GEAR UP teams: Workshops at annual GEAR UP conference Regional small-group trainings Webinars

Outreach Five-month tour throughout Virginia to increase awareness of GEAR UP award opportunity. Presented scholarship and grant information during day and evening events at GEAR UP high schools to students and parents. Introduced new user-friendly GEAR UP website with scholarship and grant information. Partnered with the Virginia Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators (VASFAA) to host over 30 Super Saturday financial aid events at GEAR UP schools.

Outreach SCHEV created several informational GEAR UP Scholarship and Achievement Grant publications, including: Brochures and flyers Award handbooks Quick guides Comic strips Pre-application handouts Reminder postcards

Essays Required part of the GEAR UP application process. “Describe the GEAR UP Activity that most influenced your decision to enroll into college” Staff has conducted data-mining to identify best-practice strategies that influence a decision to enroll into college.

Lessons Learned We have determined that college visits were overwhelmingly cited as the most important activity influencing a student’s decision to pursue higher education. “GEAR UP taught me that going to college is feasible for someone like me from a lower socioeconomic town that grew up on a small, family owned farm; and that if I applied myself, I could go to one of the best universities in the nation.” - Gretna High School Graduate, Incoming Freshman the College of William & Mary. Anticipate the results of the data mining will inform the administration of the College Access Challenge Grant.

Student Presentation We are pleased to introduce one of our GEAR UP Virginia Scholarship recipients. Christina Hamm, Meadowbrook High School, Incoming Freshman, VCU