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Michigan Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (MI GEAR UP)

Michigan Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (MI GEAR UP)

MI GEAR UP: Early awareness, college access, academic success

  • GEAR UP: High school student in graduation cap and gown smiling while posing with a diploma.

    Michigan Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (MI GEAR UP) is a college access initiative providing students and families the support and resources they need for college success.

    Since its inception in 1999, MI GEAR UP has improved educational outcomes for low-income, academically disadvantaged students across Michigan.

    The MI GEAR UP Program works with high schools throughout the state to offer students the academic skills, information and encouragement they need to not only graduate from high school, but to apply, attend and gain the skills necessary to earn a college or university degree.

    MI GEAR UP prepares students for postsecondary success by offering a variety of services throughout the student’s educational career and progression in the program — from their 9th grade to their first year of college.

    By providing an opportunity for underrepresented students to discover firsthand the potential of a college education, MI GEAR UP gives students the support they need to achieve success in high school — and beyond.

Preparing students for success!

  • An academic advisor and a student smile while looking at a laptop as the student writes in a notebook.
    MI GEAR UP helps students strengthen their knowledge for college-level courses by providing academic advising, mentoring, and hands-on experience with college professors.
  • A young college student smiles while posing in front of a campus building, wearing a graduation cap and gown and holding a rolled up diploma.
    MI GEAR UP helps students and their parents to apply for tuition assistance and compete for valuable scholarships.
  • Student's hand writing with a pencil to fill in a bubble answer sheet next to a separate paper showing mathematical equations.
    MI GEAR UP helps students prepare for college entrance exams.
  • Groups of students walk down a wide sidewalk on the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus with buildings made of brick and glass in the background on a sunny day.
    MI GEAR UP offers college campus visits.
  • Three young students sitting together and working in a stairwell while looking up, smiling, and waving.
    MI GEAR UP students participate in ceremonies for academic achievement, summer workshops and camps which focus on making educational goals attainable.
  • People sitting in auditorium seats while watching a professional presentation onstage during a seminar.
    The MI GEAR UP team provides opportunities for enhanced teacher trainings at MI GEAR UP sites.

Who can participate in MI GEAR UP?

Michigan’s 15 public universities work statewide with economically and academically disadvantaged students in 51 of Michigan’s school districts and 90 school buildings. Each location has a student population of at least 50 percent qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

The MI GEAR UP program is specifically equipped to assist low-income students and their families, while providing partnership opportunities for educators and counselors.

MI GEAR UP activities

  • Academic development

    Students receive tutoring and mentoring support throughout the program.

  • In-school workshops

    Topics include study skills, test-taking skills, college preparation, and many more.

  • Summer programs

    Opportunities include residency programs and college tours.

  • School outreach

    Program coordinators meet with student participants during the school day to discuss workshops and other educational opportunities.

  • Campus visits

    Students have the opportunity to take field trips to visit college campuses.

  • Family support

    Workshops are held for parents/guardians covering topics such as financial aid, college admissions information, parenting resources, and how to help your child study.

Did you know?

MI GEAR UP...

  • is a federally-funded program designed to increase the number of economically-disadvantaged students who are prepared to enter — and be successful in — postsecondary education.
  • partners with Michigan's 15 public universities and valuable external community organizations to provide early intervention services and a scholarship component.
  • aims to increase the postsecondary expectations and readiness of students, improve high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment rates, and raise the knowledge of postsecondary options, preparation and financing among students and families.
  • serves a cohort of students, beginning in the seventh grade and follows them through the first two years of college to help ensure academic and career success.
  • provides an opportunity for students to discover, first-hand, the potential of a college education and to expose students to the information, knowledge and skills they need to prepare themselves for college entry and success.
  • offers student participants a variety of services including college visits, in-school workshops, tutoring, mentoring and summer camps.
  • increases students’ awareness of the requirements to enter into post-secondary education by providing college exposure, information on financial literacy and admissions requirements — helping to build the critical thinking, test taking, and study skills necessary to be successful as they continue their education.
College students seated in a brightly lit stadium-style lecture hall working individually on their phones, laptops, and in notebooks.

About the Michigan GEAR UP program

The mission of MI GEAR UP is to significantly increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in post-secondary education. This is done by providing opportunities for students to discover, first-hand, the potential of a college education through a variety of locally designed and innovative early intervention services.

MI GEAR UP prepares tomorrow’s workforce for jobs that are essential to the state's economic future in a knowledge based, global economy.

MI GEAR UP increases students' proficiency in math, science, reading, and technology to better prepare students for college and the workplace.

The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s KCP Initiative, and locally by its project partners.

MI GEAR UP University Contacts

To learn more about MI GEAR UP and how the program may help you reach your educational and career goals, please contact the MI GEAR UP representative at one of the state’s participating universities.