GEAR UP

GEAR UP, “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs,” is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Student / parent coordinators work with a cohort of students beginning in sixth and seventh grade and mentor that group through their first year of postsecondary education. Unlike many other Grant Programs, GEAR UP does not have an application process required to be a part of our program.

GEAR UP provides workshops, academic enrichment, mentoring, educational field trips, and information on financial aid and Oklahoma’s Promise.

GEAR UP also provides professional development for educators, training for parents about the importance of secondary education for their children, and summer camps for participants.

The GEAR UP Summer Camp 2026 application is now open. Students will experience college life at Seminole State College while participating in college visits, hands-on activities, and educational trips. Camp is offered in two sessions for 7th and 8th grade students. Applications are due May 22, 2026.

Apply Now

The Seminole State College GEAR UP project is a GEAR UP Partnership Grant. Partnership grants are funded on the basis of working together with the schools, families, students, and communities to encourage and prepare more students to obtain a post-secondary education.

GEAR UP supports educators who work with students in the current GEAR UP cohort at our partner schools. Financial assistance may be available for approved professional development opportunities, including conferences, trainings, and workshops that support GEAR UP goals.

To be considered for assistance, applicants must complete and submit the Professional Development Financial Assistance Application before attending the conference or training. The application must be signed by the school employee requesting assistance and endorsed by a district administrator.

Funds are not available for out-of-state travel.

To qualify for assistance:

The applicant must be a public-school teacher, counselor, or administrator currently employed by one of the partner school districts served by the Seminole State College GEAR UP grant.
The applicant must currently teach, advise, or supervise instruction of students in the GEAR UP cohort group, which includes 8th and 9th grade students, or be scheduled to work with students in the cohort during the 2026–2027 academic year.
The application must include an endorsement of the training by a district administrator before it is submitted for consideration.

APPLY HERE

Parents and families play an important role in student success. When families stay involved in education, students are more likely to earn higher grades, attend school regularly, graduate from high school, and continue their education after graduation.

GEAR UP works to help families better understand college preparation, career planning, financial aid, and the steps students can take now to prepare for life after high school.

Use the resources below to learn more about supporting your student’s future.

College & Career Planning

BigFuture for Parents
Resources for families about college planning, career exploration, and preparing students for life after high school.

Federal Student Aid – Parent Resources
Information about financial aid, FAFSA, college preparation, and how families can support students through the college planning process.

Oklahoma’s Promise
Learn about eligibility requirements, income guidelines, and how Oklahoma’s Promise can help pay tuition for qualifying students.

Supporting Student Success

What Is ICAP?
Learn how the Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP) process helps students explore careers, set goals, and prepare for life after high school.

ACT Parent Resources
Tools and information to help families support academic success, college readiness, and career planning.

It is never too early to start preparing for college and your future career. GEAR UP helps students explore careers, build academic goals, learn about college options, and find financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

Use the resources below to start planning for high school, college, and beyond.

Career Exploration

Occupational Outlook Handbook
Explore hundreds of careers, salary information, job outlooks, and education requirements.

BigFuture by College Board
Career quizzes, college planning tools, major exploration, and high school planning resources designed for middle and high school students.

O*NET Career Exploration Tools
Explore careers based on interests, skills, and future job opportunities.

College Preparation

Federal Student Aid – Prepare for College
Learn about financial aid, FAFSA, college preparation, and planning for life after high school.

ACT College Planning Resources
Information about college readiness, test preparation, career pathways, and planning tools for students and families.

Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP)
ICAP refers to a process that helps students prepare for life after high school through academic planning, career exploration, and goal setting.

Scholarships & Financial Resources

Award Advisor
A scholarship search app that helps students discover scholarship opportunities early.

Scholarships360
Scholarship opportunities, financial aid information, and college planning resources for students.

Oklahoma’s Promise
Learn about Oklahoma’s Promise, eligibility requirements, and how qualifying students can earn tuition assistance for college.

Resources

Financial Aid

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application used to determine eligibility for federal financial aid for college or career school. The U.S. Department of Education awards billions of dollars each year in grants, work-study funds, and low-interest student loans to help students pay for educational expenses.

Federal student aid may help cover:
• Tuition and fees
• Room and board
• Books and supplies
• Transportation
• Other educational expenses, including computers and dependent care

Types of federal student aid include:
• Grants — financial aid that typically does not need to be repaid
• Work-study — part-time employment opportunities for students
• Loans — borrowed money that must be repaid with interest

Oklahoma's Promise

Oklahoma’s Promise is a scholarship program that helps qualifying Oklahoma students pay tuition at participating Oklahoma colleges, universities, and technology centers. Students must apply by the required deadline and meet academic and conduct requirements throughout high school.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Students must:

• Be an Oklahoma resident
• Be enrolled in 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade no later than Dec. 31 of the senior year
• Meet family income requirements at the time of application

Parent federal adjusted gross income must not exceed:

• $60,000 with 1 or 2 dependent children
• $70,000 with 3 or 4 dependent children
• $80,000 with 5 or more dependent children

Special income or enrollment provisions may apply for certain students, including children of certified Oklahoma public classroom teachers, students adopted from certain court-ordered custody situations, students in court-appointed legal guardianship, and students whose families receive certain Social Security death or disability benefits.

Learn more or apply at Oklahoma’s Promise.

OKcollegestart - Home

OK College Start is another free online career and college planning tool available to all Oklahomans. Most public schools use this website to complete their ICAP requirements for graduation. Students can:

Take career interest assessments
Explore occupations and career pathways
Build education plans
Research colleges and start preparing
Find scholarships and start financial aid planning for post-secondary education

Modern Campus is a safe, monitored text messaging platform that allows students and parents to communicate with the GEAR UP staff. Sign up to receive important reminders for events and deadlines!