Oklahoma was one of 21 states to receive a GEAR UP state grant in 1999. The state grant is distinct from the GEAR UP partnership grants awarded to local school districts and higher education institutions throughout Oklahoma; however, both the state grant and the partnership grants work in concert to enhance opportunities for students.
The primary goal of GEAR UP is to ensure all students in Oklahoma are prepared to succeed in postsecondary education. The GEAR UP program is built on two broad college access components: scholarship funding and early intervention initiatives.
The U.S. Department of Education awarded Oklahoma with a state GEAR UP grant totaling $20.5 million in August 1999. Oklahoma was one of 21 states to receive a GEAR UP state grant in 1999. In 2005, Oklahoma received an additional $20.6 million state GEAR UP grant to continue much-needed information and services that help students and their families better prepare for college over the next six years. The grants have been matched by more than $47 million from state and partner resources. With the addition of the 2005 multi-year, federal grant, Oklahoma's GEAR UP program will ultimately receive more than $45.6 million in federal funds by 2011. GEAR UP receives 49 percent of total funding from the federal government and 51 percent from other organizations.
Several local school districts and higher education institutions throughout Oklahoma have been awarded GEAR UP partnership grants. While the state grant is distinct from the GEAR UP partnership grants, both the state grant and partnership grants work together to enhance opportunities for students.