Iowa celebrates GEAR UP, a college access and career readiness program

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad declared the week of September 19-23 as GEAR UP Week in Iowa, recognizing the college access and career readiness program that provides low-income students and their families with planning resources. 

     GEAR UP, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a federally funded program that is administered by Iowa College Aid. GEAR UP Iowa serves more than 7,000 students in 12 districts -- Cedar Rapids, Clinton, Columbus Junction, Davenport, Denison, Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Marshalltown, Ottumwa, Perry, Sioux City and Storm Lake. 

     “Iowa has an ambitious Future Ready Iowa goal to see that 70 percent of our population has education or training beyond high school by the year 2025,” Branstad said. “Programs like GEAR UP Iowa that put more students on the path to college or a rewarding career are crucial to achieving that goal while helping to minimize student debt.”

      “These students might be the first in their families to go to college or plan their career path,” said Karen Misjak, executive director of Iowa College Aid. “GEAR UP Iowa helps them achieve education or training beyond high school by providing knowledge and resources to the entire family.”