Savannah State University received a $3.92 million, seven-year extension of the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Partnership Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. GEAR UP will continue to assist Savannah-Chatham County Public School System with high school graduation and college enrollment efforts.

The partnership grant enables students to gain the academic skills and motivation necessary to enroll in a postsecondary institution. The grant promotes rigorous academic coursework to reduce the need for remedial education at the secondary school and postsecondary levels. Services include academic tutorials, Saturday sessions, summer bridge programs, test preparation workshops, mentoring, job shadowing, financial aid information, college application assistance, academic advisement, assistance in secondary and postsecondary course selections, personal and social counseling activities, campus visits, educational/cultural field trips and financial literacy sessions.

“GEAR UP has been at SSU since 2000,” said Tamara Waterman, director of GEAR UP at SSU. “We are excited about winning this competitive grant award because it will provide schools with the resources they need to make a meaningful impact in the academic achievement of students.” College of Education Dean Mary Kropiewnicki, Ed.D., said, “This program, along with our other grant-funded partnerships with the SCCPSS through the College of Education, deepen SSU’s connection with the community and our commitment to support the goals of the school system.”

GEAR UP will enroll approximately 700 grade 6 and 7 students from DeRenne and Hubert middle schools as a cohort to begin the program in fall 2018. The project will track the cohort as they matriculate through middle school, into high school and through the first year of college.