Our Mission
GEAR UP Maine RISE partners with schools, postsecondary institutions, educators, families, students and organizations to develop and grow the next generation of Maine leaders by providing college and career opportunities to the state’s most rural and
disadvantaged school districts.
Who We Serve
GEAR UP Maine RISE serves the current class of 8th-grade students (class of 2029) and follows them through middle and high school to their first year of college. In addition, we provide ongoing support for students in 11th and 12th grades, as well as those in their first year of college, helping with career coaching, financial literacy, college preparation, and more.
Our School Specialist Team
GEAR UP Maine RISE team members pledge pertinence and meaningfulness in their efforts to assure that career exploration, internships and postsecondary aspirations align with a student’s interests and passions while addressing the workforce shortages in rural Maine.
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GEAR UP is a U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, discretionary grant program
GEAR UP provides multi-year grants to States and partnerships to provide services at high-poverty middle and high schools. It is designed to increase the number of students from economically disadvantaged families who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
GEAR UP grantees serve students beginning no later than the seventh grade and follow the students through high school. GEAR UP funds may also be used to provide college scholarships to participating students. GEAR UP is unique from other initiatives.
This program employs partnerships committed to serving and accelerating the academic achievement of participating students through their high school graduation. GEAR UP partnerships supplement (not supplant) existing reform efforts, offer services that promote academic preparation and the understanding of necessary costs to attend college, provide professional development, and continuously build capacity so that projects can be sustained beyond the term of the grant.
Learn more about the national project at the U.S. Department of Education website.