USU GEAR UP Program Closes Fourth Grant Cycle
The federally funded program has served more than 27,000 students across partner schools in Utah over its first seven years.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Financial Aid
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The USU STARS GEAR UP program, federally funded and run through Utah State University, has completed its fourth grant after seven years of service. Program administrators plan to apply for further grants to keep the initiative running.
Why it matters
GEAR UP is designed to give lower-income students access to more resources for secondary education, many of whom are first-generation and may lack college guidance from parents or guardians. Continued funding would extend that support to Utah students at partner schools.
The program has served more than 27,000 students in its first seven years, with partner schools required to have at least 50% of students receiving free or reduced lunches. Whether future grant applications will succeed has not been determined.
The players
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public research university in Logan, Utah, and serves as the host and grant recipient for the USU STARS GEAR UP program.
The details
The program works through partner schools and offers academic support, help with financial aid applications, and college campus tours. Students can enter as early as seventh grade and remain in the program until the end of their first year out of high school. Current grant funding runs through October 2031.
Timeline
Students can first enter the program in seventh grade.
Current GEAR UP grant funding ends in October 2031.
Season Trajectory
The Utah program is one of many federally funded GEAR UP initiatives operating under the Higher Education Act's early-intervention model for low-income students. Its renewal through a fourth grant cycle places it among the longer-running state programs under that federal framework.
Students at partner schools where at least half of enrollees receive free or reduced lunches can receive academic support, financial aid application help, and campus tours. Families in Utah may find this support useful when planning for college costs.
The takeaway
Lower-income and first-generation students often need help navigating financial aid and college applications, and programs like GEAR UP provide that guidance early. Families considering college should look for similar school-based support.
What happens next
Program administrators plan to apply for additional grants to keep GEAR UP running beyond its current October 2031 funding end date.
Further reading
Explore more on Financial Aid to see how other college-access programs help students cover costs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSL.
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