The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) has announced the reception of a substantial $35 million grant aimed at enhancing college readiness for students, particularly those within underserved and at-risk communities. This GEAR UP grant, an acronym for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, comes courtesy of the U.S. Department of Education, set to infuse the state's educational efforts from September 2024 through September 2031.
"A quality education can change the trajectory of a student's life," Gov. Bill Lee said, as stated by the TN Higher Education Commission. The focus of the seven-year program is to empower approximately 9,000 Tennessee students, providing them with the tools necessary for academic excellence and college preparation. One of the initial initiatives will be to support 1,600 seventh graders from the Class of 2030, offering them continuous assistance through their first year of college.
GEAR UP TN will also support an additional cohort from the Class of 2031 until their senior year of high school. In an extension of their reach, 1,450 priority seniors will receive targeted aid from the second through the seventh years of this grant. "This GEAR UP grant represents a tremendous opportunity to invest in the future of Tennessee’s students," said Dr. Steven Gentile, THEC Executive Director, as per the TN Higher Education Commission. Services provided through this grant will include academic development, mentoring, dual enrollment opportunities, and financial literacy, strengthening the overall academic foundation.
The grant does not stand alone as a singular effort; it's the fourth GEAR UP grant acquired by THEC since 2005, bringing the total investment in the futures of Tennessee students to a substantial $109,700,000. GEAR UP TN's legacy of support extends to over 66,000 students across 39 counties statewide. Schools in Monroe, Grainger, Cumberland, Jackson, Bedford, and Hardeman counties will directly benefit from GEAR UP TN 4.0 program services.
As detailed by the TN Higher Education Commission, more details on GEAR UP TN can be found at CollegeForTN.org/gearuptn.
