Sophomore Suite: Lydia Arevalo, counselor, Dan Terrones,Dean of Students and Connie Gardalen, Gear Up Coordinator

Marshalltown High School class of 2020 is part of the Gear Up cohort. Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a seven year competitive grant program of the U.S. Department of Education that is aimed at increasing the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The program is administered by the Iowa College Student Aid Commission.

Gear Up Iowa is a $22.4 million grant. There are 12 school districts in Iowa that were awarded the grant based on the number of (FRPL: Free and Reduced Priced Lunch). $11.2 million will be awarded in scholarships. 50% of the Gear Up cohort is first generation. There are 8200 students from Iowa in the cohort.

Gear Up Iowa has a goal of creating a “College-Going Culture” for the students. There are three main objectives for the program.

1. Increase student academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education.

2. Increase rates of high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment.

3. Increase student and family knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation and financing.

Gear Up Scholarships will be disbursed upon graduation from MHS in 2020. Each eligible student receives a scholarship for up to 4 years of undergraduate studies. The scholarship can be used in state or out of state. First disbursement has to be before the age of 22.  There is over $11 million dollars designated in scholarship funds.

Saturday Academy schedule at MHS

8 a.m. to noon, room 134

Breakfast will be served

October 6, 2018

November 2, 2018

December 1, 2018

January 5, 2019

February 2, 2019

March 2, 2019

April 6, 2019

May 4, 2019

May 18, 2019.

www.gearupiowa.gov