GEAR UP End of Grant Transition

The GEAR UP Utah grant at USU is coming to an end with it's partnership with the Cache County School District. The grant has successfully helped CCSD students for the last 7 years and we want to thank all those in our community, especially our school counselors and administrators. We are so grateful for the support from our students and their families, and love the community of support that we have been a part of.

This page includes information about the end of the grant and resources that will help you and your student navigate the school system after the grant is over. If you have any questions or are in need of resources that are not on this page, please reach out to the director, Dawna Webb, at dawna.webb@usu.edu. 

Why is GEAR UP at CCSD ending?

GEAR UP was created to support areas with high poverty levels. GEAR UP Utah decides which areas to service by looking at the percentage of students who utilize the free and reduced lunch program. Cache County School District is fortunate to have less than 20% of high school student populations who are currently enrolled in free and reduced lunch. GEAR UP Utah also looks at test score data to determine the need for student support. CCSD has much higher test scores compared to other school districts in the state. Based off this information, it has been determined by the GEAR UP Utah Grant that CCSD is no longer in need of the Grant's support.

GEAR UP 2024-25 School Year

GEAR UP will still be here to support students and families in the Cache County School District through the 2024-25 school year. Advisors will visit the schools and work one-on-one and in groups with the students. We will hold regular workshops and activities to prepare students for higher education. Our parent liaison will continue to support parents and inform them of the workshops, events, field trips, and activities. 

We encourage you to continue to participate in the GEAR UP Program through the 2024-25 school year. The workshops and activities will include information about other educational support systems that can help you in similar ways as GEAR UP. 

What to do after GEAR UP ends?

Our goal during the 2024-25 school year is to ensure that all GEAR UP students know where to find other educational resources and have been introduced to an educational support system. Students should utilize the resources we help them find and continue to surround themselves with people and activities that help them focus on reaching their goals. 

Universities and colleges around Utah have regular tours and information sessions. We encourage you to reach out to the admissions offices of schools you are interested in and schedule a time to visit their campuses. 

You can check out the GEAR UP Resources page and the resources below to find more support now!

Continuing Success! **Seniors (2025 graduates) will continue to receive individualized services through their first year of college. Services include help with registration, financial aid, housing, navigating campus, and more! 

Resources

High School Resources

Green Canyon Counseling
Mountain Crest Counseling
Ridgeline Counseling
Sky View Counseling
Shmoop (Free ACT Practice)
CCSD Mental Health Resource Page

Resources at USU

Current USU Students
USU Tours
Apply to USU
Aggie First Scholars (First Gen Students)
TRIO
USU Academic Belonging
USU Tutoring

Other Resources

Keys to Success
Utah Programs and Majors
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Khan Academy
BTECH
There are many free educational resources offered to students. We encourage that you work with your school counselor, UCAC Advisor, teachers, universities, and colleges to find more resources. You can also do your own research through reputable sources.