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Posted: 8/16/18

GEAR UP IV Offers 2017 Program Graduates Help Entering College, Workforce Programs

 

GEAR UP IV Students
 

 

As Fall classes gear up at colleges and universities, the GEAR UP IV program is hoping to reach out to  2017 program graduates across South Texas to provide them with services and financial assistance to enter college or workforce programs.

The GEAR UP IV (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) program, funded by the U.S. Department of Education and administered by Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) is leading the outreach effort.

“GEAR UP IV will provide services to those students who graduated in 2017 from its participating high schools but who have not yet entered, or who have not completed their first year of postsecondary education.  Our staff will assist students in identifying appropriate postsecondary schools and programs based on students’ needs and circumstances, whether they are interested in academic classes or workforce certificate programs,” said Scheiby Fisher, TAMIU assistant vice president for Student Services.

In addition, GEAR UP IV staff will assist with the admissions process, financial aid, and advising. GEAR UP IV provides financial assistance up to $500 per semester to eligible students to offset the cost of books required for classes, and school supplies to get the students ready for their classes, she noted.

“TAMIU GEAR UP IV is  initiative that began in 2011 to serve the students of South Texas and continues to be committed to their pursuit of post-secondary education.  We encourage any student, from the high school Class of 2017, who has not enrolled or enrolled in post-secondary studies after January 2018 to contact us to learn of the support available to them to transition to higher education or workforce programs,” Fisher said.

The GEAR UP IV outreach effort is targeting students who graduated in 2017 from participating high schools in school districts including Laredo, United, Webb Consolidated, Eagle Pass, Freer, Jim Hogg, San Diego, La Joya, Alice, and nine other school districts.

The outreach effort is substantial.  In 2017, 8,059 students served by GEAR UP IV graduated from 31 high schools throughout South Texas. Most entered postsecondary education at over 250 colleges or universities in Texas, and across the country. 

GEAR UP IV staff helped students prepare and submit college admissions applications, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), ACT tests, and other college entrance requirements.

“We will continue helping all our students, and we want them all to succeed. I would like to invite our GEAR UP IV students who haven’t finalized their future plans for fall… if you haven’t touched base with us, you need to contact us,” Fisher explained.

Andres Soto, a GEAR UP IV student attending Laredo College, attests to the program’s impact.

“GEAR UP has made a definite impact in my life. It has provided many resources, like advisors and constant help and support. I know it’s always there for me and that’s a lot of motivation for me. It’s really cool to be a part of it. I’m very thankful for GEAR UP,”  Soto explained.

Aris Soldevilla, a TAMIU student, concurred, noting that her transition to University life was helped by GEAR UP’s comprehensive support.

“As a student, GEAR-UP gave me the opportunity to visit various universities and explore different fields of study that gave me a better sense of who and what I wanted to become.  Through motivational speeches, college fairs, trips and seminars, the transition from high school to college was smoother and allowed me to focus on my attention on my academic performance,” Soldevilla said.

Graduates from GEAR UP IV’s participating high schools who graduated in 2017 can contact the GEAR UP office, located at TAMIU, at 956.326.2700, or email gearupiv@tamiu.edu to determine their eligibility. GEAR UP staff will address services to be provided in order for students to get started in their classes.