West Virginia GEAR UP is a federally funded program that helps students in eleven counties prepare to succeed in education and training beyond high school. “GEAR UP” stands for “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs,” and the program’s goal is to help more students pursue their dreams of earning a college diploma or skillset certificate.
West Virginia GEAR UP is managed by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission), in collaboration with the West Virginia Community and Technical College System, the West Virginia Department of Education and many other community partners.
The GEAR UP program operates on seven-year cycles. The Commission is administering its third consecutive GEAR UP grant, which began in 2021 and will conclude in 2028.