Students
Opportunities for GEAR UP Maine RISE Students
We have framed our services around four ideals: be Relevant, use Inquiry, provide Supports and Equity for All, and increase the Expectations and Aspirations for Postsecondary Education of our students. While you will find a list of opportunities that GU-ME RISE offers, it is likely that not every student will receive every service. There is no cost to the school or families for GEAR UP services.
Relevance:
- Career-focused college visits for 11th and 12th graders
- Presentations by alumni regarding their college and career experiences; and engage students in follow-up activities to process the information
- Provide a Family Coordinator to help families with understanding financial aid and financial literacy
- Design and provide a range of family engagement activities designed to the needs of the school and community
- Facilitate events for students and families to build bridges within and beyond their school communities (with FOCUS Training partnership)
- Connect students with local businesses and, using Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs), earn academic credit for a variety of career related activities
- Connect students to local businesses to meet the students specific goals and interests
Inquiry:
- Seek out community members who have interests similar to students and connect them with mentoring relationships
- Assist school staff and students in developing college and career access plans
- Assist school staff to utilize available resources to educate students and families in ways to finance their postsecondary aspirations.
Supports and Equity for All:
- Make available a GU-ME RISE scholarship to every eligible GEAR UP student matriculated in postsecondary education regardless of financial need
- Provide every 11th grade student with access to SAT preparation
- Work with school staff and community members to make tutors and after-school academic assistance available
- Provide virtual training sessions to increase the self-advocacy of 12th graders
- Connect high school seniors with near-peer mentors
- Provide students one-on-one coaching and advising by a School Specialist as they prepare to transition from high school through the first year of their postsecondary education.
Expectations and Aspirations for Postsecondary Education:
- Provide students in 11th and 12th grade an opportunity to take college level courses.
- Provide the class of 2029 with a multi-day college immersion experience in 8th grade
- Expose all GEAR UP students to a variety of college institutions
- Provide a series of services to help students and families understand their personal road map to reach career and college goals
More info coming soon!