GEAR UP New Hampshire was a community-based initiative that helped low-income students prepare for and succeed in college. We engaged a broad coalition of colleges and universities, schools, businesses, and volunteers to develop students’ academic and life skills.

GEAR UP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. A federal program funded through the U.S. Department of Education, GEAR UP supports state initiatives serving high-need areas. 

Statewide Impact

The New Hampshire GEAR UP Alliance helped to support thousands of middle and high school students in achieving success in school and beyond. From the North Country to the Lakes Region to the Upper Valley, GEAR UP’s influence resonated throughout the Granite State.

New Hampshire students

middle and high schools

college and university partners

million dollars in student scholarships

GEAR UP Is Magic

The New Hampshire GEAR UP Alliance has had an incredible impact on the students, parents, teachers, and volunteers who participate. Play this short video to hear what GEAR UP means to them in their own words.

Testimonial-1

As a first-generation college student, I had very little idea of how the whole process worked. GEAR UP taught me as well as others about the steps that we would need to take in order to achieve out goals. GEAR UP gives a strong future to kids who might not have had it otherwise.

Student

Testimonial-4

GEAR UP means hope. GEAR UP represents the chance for students to attend higher education and achieve the skills they need to flourish and prosper in the real world. It is the golden ticket, for dozens of New Hampshire students to go and achieve the resources they need to make a tangible impact in their lives, and the world.

Student

Testimonial-5

Since I have been a young middle school student at Franklin Middle School, GEAR UP has been one of my biggest supporters. GEAR UP has helped me believe college was not only possible, but something I could truly succeed in. To me, this is so much more than just a scholarship. This program has given me resources, guidance, and motivation to prepare me for the complicated journey of entering college. GEAR UP has seen the potential in me and all of my other classmates from when we were just in middle school. This program has invested so much into my future, from finances to guidance. All of this has helped me incredibly in pursuing my passion to become an educator.

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Student

Testimonial-6

GEAR UP means the world to me in the way that it helped me gain the understanding of college and the GEAR UP program helped me learn a lot of things that I did not previously know. It also is one of the programs the lead me to join many different clubs and to follow my passions to be a leader in these clubs and organizations.

Student

Testimonial-3

To me, GEAR UP represents a crucial effort to level the playing field of education. It empowers students from all walks of life to achieve their educational goals, regardless of their background and life circumstances.

Student

Testimonial-2

The GEAR UP program has taught me so much about college readiness and provided me with many insightful tips about preparing myself for higher education. I would have felt lost, overwhelmed, and confused without this program. GEAR UP has been there for me since middle school, teaching me ways to get a head start and have the best college experience I could ever receive!

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Student