Indiana awards $129,000 to 14 institutions to promote college readiness

INDIANA – The Indiana Commission for Higher Education, in partnership with Indiana Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate (GEAR UP) awarded $129,030 to 14 colleges and universities to expose high school juniors and seniors to postsecondary opportunities and assist them in completing the necessary steps for applications, financial aid and college success during ‘Bridge to College Days.’

The Indiana GEAR UP Bridge to College Day is designed to support collaborative efforts focused on the following college and career readiness priorities:

  • 21st Century Scholar Success Program (SSP) completion and maintaining academic eligibility
  • Parent and family engagement programing
  • Financial aid and literacy information
  • Understanding Indiana’s colleges and universities
  • Career exploration and preparation activities

“Bridge to College Days provides students with invaluable experiences that allow them to explore postsecondary options and increase college readiness before they make the transition to education beyond high school,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers. “There is not a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to education beyond high school. The grant recipients play an important role in making sure high school students are prepared to apply, make informed choices with financial aid and get connected with on-campus resources.”

Funding for the grants is made possible through Indiana GEAR UP. Indiana GEAR UP is led by a collaborative team of staff from Purdue University and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. Indiana GEAR UP will follow and provide support to a targeted cohort of students over the course of seven years (2016-23). One of the primary goals of Indiana GEAR UP is to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.

Bridge to College Day

For a list of program summaries the grants are supporting, click here.