LANCASTER COUNTY GEAR UP Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs Program Review/Update

A Few Facts,,,  Federal Grant Program  Funded as a 6-year program Contingent on performance measure  1 st GEAR UP Award 2005, $2,954,  2 nd GEAR UP Award 2008, $2,950,536.00

Main Goals/Objectives  To increase student academic performance, specifically for low income and 1 st generation students  To increase the graduation rate and participation in postsecondary education  To increase educational expectations, and knowledge of postsecondary options

National Evaluations Reveal,,,  When compared to students who do not participate in the program, students from GEAR UP are more likely to: Enroll in rigorous coursework, including Advanced Placement Understand the process for college enrollment, including sources of financial aid Believe that a college degree is important for future success Live in homes where parents encourage college enrollment AND MORE IMPORTANTLY,,, Enroll in postsecondary institutions after graduation from high school

Services Offered,,,  Summer Camp SMART Academy  Afterschool Homework Assistance  College Awareness Students & Parents  Parent Workshop Series  Mentoring Sweet Peas Max Ops TRiO

Our Partners,,,  Lancaster County School District  Lancaster County Partners for Youth  The Springs Close Foundation  USC-Lancaster  The Children’s Council  LearnTV

Scholarship Component  Both GEAR UP Cohorts Up to $1.5 Million Dollars Pledged Funded as matching contribution from  Partners for Youth  The Springs Close Foundation  Students are eligible to receive a GEAR UP scholarship each semester based on scholarship points system $100, $250, $500, $1000  Held in escrow until graduation and proof of postsecondary enrollment

Awards to Date-Current Grant  # students who have received an award 320 students  Total Amount Awarded to Date $544,  Average Award per Student $1,  Range of Awards Lowest amount to date = $100 Highest amount to date = $9,000

As A Graph,,

2011 Program Statistics,,, Measure2005 Data Before GEAR UP Graduation Data of 1 st GEAR UP Cohort Fall College Enrollment AP Course Participation 9.15%17% Retention Rate5.5%3.95% Dropout rate5.95%3.35% Eligible for LIFE Scholarship 10.2%58.2%

2011 Cohort Colleges Allen UniversityNewberry College Anderson UniversityNorth Greenville University Art Institute of CharlotteOrangeburg-Calhoun Technical Benedict CollegeSavannah College of Art & Design Charleston Southern UniversitySouth Carolina State University Claflin UniversitySouth University Clemson UniversitySpartanburg Methodist College Coastal CarolinaSt. Andrews Presbyterian College of CharlestonThe Citadel Columbia CollegeUniversity of Northwestern Ohio Concord UniversityUSC-Columbia Francis Marion UniversityUSC-Lancaster Greenville Technical CollegeUSC-Upstate Johnson & Wales UniversityVirginia College Lander UniversityVirginia State University Midlands Technical CollegeWinthrop University Morris CollegeYork Technical College NC A&T University

Just This Year,,  College Visits Duke University Wake Forest University UNC-Chapel Hill Clemson University Winthrop University (CACRAO) York Technical College Erskine College Lander University USC-Upstate Limestone University

Just This Year,,  Parent Workshops Junior Timeline & SC Private College Tour Highlights Scholarship Interview Tips/Strategies The Springs Close Student Loan Program Overview USC-L Nursing Program Overview FAFSA-Why, When, and How To College Application Process Overview USC-L Tutoring Options & TRiO Program Senior Timeline

On the Horizon,,,  College Clinton Elementary February 22 Partnering with PAX GBG grant  Scholarship Award Ceremony February 28, 6:30 pm at USC-L  College Visits Winthrop to host SACAC Mini Camp College Workshop, March 16 USC-Columbia, April 20

On the Horizon,,,  This Summer Summer Seminar Workshops August 9-10, USC-L Topics for Students and Parents  Parent/Student Panel (Friday Evening)  FAFSA Update  Money Management for College Freshmen  HS Guidance/College Admission  High School to College

Just Launched  GEARUP2014

Future Grant Outlook,,,  Applied for our 3 rd GEAR UP in 2011 Did include BMS/BHS Received a perfect score  Bonus Category Exclusion  Slate-down funding in 2012 Preference given for new programs Areas of severe economic hardship  Application Announcement 2013? Will apply  Will include BMS/BHS

 Questions/Comments