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KCP/GEAR UP

Michigan GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a statewide collaborative effort providing early intervention services in two key areas:

  • Early college exposure: This includes financial aid/admissions information, college choice, and other knowledge necessary for students to become prepared to pursue postsecondary options.
  • Readiness for undergraduate programs: This refers to skill building and academic preparedness, including reading literacy, critical thinking skills, study techniques, and test-taking ability.

The U.S. Department of Education awarded a multimillion grant to Michigan, spread out over a seven-year program, distributed among the 15 public universities. The program begins in seventh grade and students are followed through their first year of college. The program assists students in their senior year of high school with financial aid by providing important information about FAFSA applications and competitive scholarships, including limited funding for scholarships awarded to longtime program participants.


For more information visit the Office of College Access Initiatives website

Partners: 

  • Lansing School District
  • Waverly School District 

Funders: 

  • State of Michigan
  • U.S. Department of Education 

People:

Stephanie Anthony

Director, College Access Initiatives

Office of College Access Initiatives


Gordillo, Paulo

Associate Director, College Access Initiatives

Luna-Simmons, Samantha

Assistant Director, MI GEAR UP, KCP College Day Program, College Access Initiatives

MacFadden, Joanne

MI GEAR UP Program Coordinator, College Access Initiatives

Dobbrastine, Eric

MI GEAR UP Program Coordinator, College Access Initiatives

Thach, Victoria

MI GEAR UP Program Coordinator, College Access Initiatives