Title 34—Education--Volume 1
PART 694—GAINING EARLY AWARENESS AND READINESS FOR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS (GEAR UP)
§ 694.1   What is the maximum amount that the Secretary may award each fiscal year to a Partnership or a State under this program?
(a) Partnership grants. The Secretary may establish the maximum amount that may be awarded each fiscal year for a GEAR UP Partnership grant in a notice published in the Federal Register. The maximum amount for which a Partnership may apply may not exceed the lesser of the maximum amount established by the Secretary, if applicable, or the amount calculated by multiplying—
(1) $800; by
(2) The number of students the Partnership proposes to serve that year, as stated in the Partnership's plan.
(b) State grants. The Secretary establishes the maximum amount that may be awarded each fiscal year for a GEAR UP State grant in a notice published in the Federal Register.
§ 694.2   Which students must a Partnership, or a State that chooses to use the cohort approach in its project, serve under the program's early intervention component?
A Partnership, or a State that chooses to use a cohort approach in its GEAR UP early intervention component, must, except as provided in § 694.4—
(a) Provide services to at least one entire grade level (cohort) of students (subject to § 694.3(b)) beginning not later than the 7th grade;
(b) Ensure that supplemental appropriate services are targeted to the students with the greatest needs; and
(c) Ensure that services are provided through the 12th grade to those students.
§ 694.3   What are the requirements for a cohort?
(a) In general. Each cohort to be served by a Partnership or State must be from a participating school—
(1) That has a 7th grade; and
(2) In which at least 50 percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch under the National School Lunch Act; or
(b) Public housing exception. If the Partnership or State determines it would promote program effectiveness, a cohort may consist of all of the students in a particular grade level at one or more participating schools who reside in public housing, as defined in section 3(b)(1) of the United States Housing Act of 1937.
§ 694.4   Which students must a State or Partnership serve when there are changes in the cohort?
(a) At the school where the cohort began. A Partnership or State must serve, as part of the cohort, any additional students who—
(1) Are at the grade level of the students in the cohort; and
(2) Begin attending the participating school at which the cohort began to receive GEAR UP services.
(b) At a subsequent participating school. If not all of the students in the cohort attend the same school after the cohort completes the last grade level offered by the school at which the cohort began to receive GEAR UP services, a Partnership or a State—
(1) May continue to provide GEAR UP services to all students in the cohort; and
(2) Must continue to provide GEAR UP services to at least those students in the cohort who attend one or more participating schools that together enroll a substantial majority of the students in the cohort.
§ 694.5   What requirements must be met by a Partnership or State that chooses to provide services to private school students under the program's early intervention component?
(a) Secular, neutral, and nonideological services or benefits. Educational services or other benefits, including materials and equipment, provided under GEAR UP by a Partnership or State that chooses to provide those services or benefits to students attending private schools, must be secular, neutral, and nonideological.
(b) Control of funds. In the case of a Partnership or State that chooses to provide services under GEAR UP to students attending private schools, the fiscal agent (in the case of a Partnership) or a State agency (in the case of a State) must—
(1) Control the funds used to provide services under GEAR UP to those students;
(2) Hold title to materials, equipment, and property purchased with GEAR UP funds for GEAR UP program uses and purposes related to those students; and
(3) Administer those GEAR UP funds and property.
§ 694.6   Who may provide GEAR UP services to students attending private schools?
(a) GEAR UP services to students attending private schools must be provided—
(1) By employees of a public agency; or
(2) Through contract by the public agency with an individual, association, agency, or organization.
(b) When providing GEAR UP services to students attending private schools, the employee, individual, association, agency, or organization must be employed or contracted independently of the private school that the students attend, and of any other organization affiliated with the school, and that employment or contract must be under the control and supervision of the public agency.
§ 694.7   What are the matching requirements for a GEAR UP grant?
(a) In order to be eligible for GEAR UP funding—
(1) An applicant must state in its application the percentage of the cost of the GEAR UP project the applicant will provide for each year from non-Federal funds, subject to the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section; and
(2) A grantee must make substantial progress towards meeting the matching percentage stated in its approved application for each year of the project period.
(b) Except as provided in §§ 694.8 and 694.9, the non-Federal share of the cost of the GEAR UP project must be not less than 50 percent of the total cost of the project (i.e., one dollar of non-Federal contributions for every one dollar of Federal funds obligated for the project) over the project period.
(c) The non-Federal share of the cost of a GEAR UP project may be provided in cash or in-kind.
§ 694.8   Under what conditions may the Secretary approve a request from a Partnership applying for a GEAR UP grant to waive a portion of the matching requirement?
(a) The Secretary may approve a Partnership applicant's request for a waiver of up to 75 percent of the matching requirement for up to two years if the applicant demonstrates in its application a significant economic hardship that stems from a specific, exceptional, or uncontrollable event, such as a natural disaster, that has a devastating effect on the members of the Partnership and the community in which the project would operate.
(b)(1) The Secretary may approve a Partnership applicant's request to waive up to 50 percent of the matching requirement for up to two years if the applicant demonstrates in its application a pre-existing and an on-going significant economic hardship that precludes the applicant from meeting its matching requirement.
(2) In determining whether an applicant is experiencing an on-going economic hardship that is significant enough to justify a waiver under this paragraph, the Secretary considers documentation of such factors as:
(i) Severe distress in the local economy of the community to be served by the grant ( e.g., there are few employers in the local area, large employers have left the local area, or significant reductions in employment in the local area).
(ii) Local unemployment rates that are higher than the national average.
(iii) Low or decreasing revenues for State and County governments in the area to be served by the grant.
(iv) Significant reductions in the budgets of institutions of higher education that are participating in the grant.
(v) Other data that reflect a significant economic hardship for the geographical area served by the applicant.
(3) At the time of application, the Secretary may provide tentative approval of an applicant's request for a waiver under paragraph (b)(1) of this section for all remaining years of the project period. Grantees that receive tentative approval of a waiver for more than two years under this paragraph must submit to the Secretary every two years by such time as the Secretary may direct documentation that demonstrates that—
(i) The significant economic hardship upon which the waiver was granted still exists; and
(ii) The grantee tried diligently, but unsuccessfully, to obtain contributions needed to meet the matching requirement.
(c) The Secretary may approve a Partnership applicant's request in its application to match its contributions to its scholarship fund, established under section 404E of the HEA, on the basis of two non-Federal dollars for every one Federal dollar of GEAR UP funds.
(d) The Secretary may approve a request by a Partnership applicant that has three or fewer institutions of higher education as members to waive up to 70 percent of the matching requirement if the Partnership applicant includes—
(1) A fiscal agent that is eligible to receive funds under title V, or Part B of title III, or section 316 or 317 of the HEA, or a local educational agency;
(2) Only participating schools with a 7th grade cohort in which at least 75 percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act; and
(3) Only local educational agencies in which at least 50 percent of the students enrolled are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act.
§ 694.9   Under what conditions may the Secretary approve a request from a Partnership that has received a GEAR UP grant to waive a portion of the matching requirement?
(a) After a grant is awarded, the Secretary may approve a Partnership grantee's written request for a waiver of up to—
(1) 50 percent of the matching requirement for up to two years if the grantee demonstrates that—
(i) The matching contributions described for those two years in the grantee's approved application are no longer available; and
(ii) The grantee has exhausted all funds and sources of potential contributions for replacing the matching funds.
(2) 75 percent of the matching requirement for up to two years if the grantee demonstrates that matching contributions from the original application are no longer available due to an uncontrollable event, such as a natural disaster, that has a devastating economic effect on members of the Partnership and the community in which the project would operate.
(b) In determining whether the grantee has exhausted all funds and sources of potential contributions for replacing matching funds, the Secretary considers the grantee's documentation of key factors such as the following and their direct impact on the grantee:
(1) A reduction of revenues from State government, County government, or the local educational agency (LEA).
(2) An increase in local unemployment rates.
(3) Significant reductions in the operating budgets of institutions of higher education that are participating in the grant.
(4) A reduction of business activity in the local area ( e.g., large employers have left the local area).
(5) Other data that reflect a significant decrease in resources available to the grantee in the local geographical area served by the grantee.
(c) If a grantee has received one or more waivers under this section or under § 694.8, the grantee may request an additional waiver of the matching requirement under this section no earlier than 60 days before the expiration of the grantee's existing waiver.
(d) The Secretary may grant an additional waiver request for up to 50 percent of the matching requirement for a period of up to two years beyond the expiration of any previous waiver.
§ 694.10   What are the requirements that a Partnership must meet in designating a fiscal agent for its project under this program?
Although any member of a Partnership may organize the project, a Partnership must designate as the fiscal agent for its project under GEAR UP—
(a) A local educational agency; or
(b) An institution of higher education.
§ 694.11   What is the maximum indirect cost rate for an agency of a State or local government?
Notwithstanding 34 CFR 75.560-75.562 and 2 CFR part 200, subpart E—Cost Principles, the maximum indirect cost rate that an agency of a State or local government receiving funds under GEAR UP may use to charge indirect costs to these funds is the lesser of—
(a) The rate established by the negotiated indirect cost agreement; or
(b) Eight percent of a modified total direct cost base.
§ 694.12   Under what conditions do State and Partnership GEAR UP grantees make section 404E scholarship awards?
(a)(1) State Grantees. All State grantees must establish or maintain a financial assistance program that awards section 404E scholarships to students in accordance with the requirements of § 694.13 or § 694.14, as applicable.
(2) Partnership Grantees. Partnerships may, but are not required, to award scholarships to eligible students. If a Partnership awards scholarships to eligible students pursuant to section 404E of the HEA, it must comply with the requirements of § 694.13 or § 694.14, as applicable.
(b)(1) Section 404E scholarship awards for grantees whose initial GEAR UP grant awards were made prior to August 14, 2008. A State or Partnership grantee making section 404E scholarship awards using funds from GEAR UP grant awards that were made prior to August 14, 2008, must provide such scholarship awards in accordance with the requirements of § 694.13 unless it elects to provide the scholarships in accordance with the requirements of § 694.14 pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
(2) Election to use § 694.14 requirements. A State or Partnership grantee making section 404E scholarship awards using funds from GEAR UP grant awards that were made prior to August 14, 2008, may provide such scholarship awards in accordance with the requirements of § 694.14 (rather than the requirements of § 694.13) provided that the grantee—
(i) Informs the Secretary, in writing, of its election to make the section 404E scholarship awards in accordance with the requirements of § 694.14; and
(ii) Such election does not decrease the amount of the scholarship promised to any individual student under the grant.
(c) Section 404E scholarship awards for grantees whose initial GEAR UP grant awards were made on or after August 14, 2008. A State or Partnership grantee making section 404E scholarship awards using funds from GEAR UP grant awards that were made on or after August 14, 2008, must provide such scholarship awards in accordance with the requirements of § 694.14.
§ 694.13   What are the requirements concerning section 404E scholarship awards for grantees whose initial GEAR UP grant awards were made prior to August 14, 2008?
The following requirements apply to section 404E scholarship awards for grantees whose initial GEAR UP grant awards were made prior to August 14, 2008 unless the grantee elects to provide such scholarship awards in accordance with the requirements of § 694.14 pursuant to § 694.12(b)(2).
(a)(1) The maximum scholarship amount that an eligible student may receive under this section must be established by the grantee.
(2) The minimum scholarship amount that an eligible student receives in a fiscal year pursuant to this section must not be less than the lesser of—
(i) 75 percent of the average cost of attendance for an in-State student, in a four-year program of instruction, at public institutions of higher education in the student's State; or
(ii) The maximum Federal Pell Grant award funded under section 401 of the HEA for the award year in which the scholarship is awarded.
(3) If an eligible student who is awarded a GEAR UP scholarship attends an institution of higher education on a less than full-time basis during any award year, the State or Partnership awarding the GEAR UP scholarship may reduce the scholarship amount, but in no case may the percentage reduction in the scholarship be greater than the percentage reduction in tuition and fees charged to that student.
(b) Scholarships provided under this section may not be considered for the purpose of awarding Federal grant assistance under title IV of the HEA, except that in no case may the total amount of student financial assistance awarded to a student under title IV of the HEA exceed the student's total cost of attendance.
(c) Grantees providing section 404E scholarship awards in accordance with this section—
(1) Must award GEAR UP scholarships first to students who will receive, or are eligible to receive, a Federal Pell Grant during the award year in which the GEAR UP scholarship is being awarded; and
(2) May, if GEAR UP scholarship funds remain after awarding scholarships to students under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, award GEAR UP scholarships to other eligible students ( i.e., students who are not eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant) after considering the need of those students for GEAR UP scholarships.
(d) For purposes of this section, an eligible student is a student who—
(1) Is less than 22 years old at the time of award of the student's first GEAR UP scholarship;
(2) Has received a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent on or after January 1, 1993;
(3) Is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a program of undergraduate instruction at an institution of higher education that is located within the State's boundaries, except that, at the grantee's option, a State or Partnership may offer scholarships to students who attend institutions of higher education outside the State; and
(4) Has participated in activities under § 694.21 or § 694.22.
(e) A State using a priority approach may award scholarships under paragraph (a) of this section to eligible students identified by priority at any time during the grant award period rather than reserving scholarship funds for use only in the seventh year of a project or after the grant award period.
(f) A State or a Partnership that makes scholarship awards from GEAR UP funds in accordance with this section must award continuation scholarships in successive award years to each student who received an initial scholarship and who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a program of undergraduate instruction at an institution of higher education.
§ 694.14   What are the requirements concerning section 404E scholarship awards for grantees whose initial GEAR UP grant awards were made on or after August 14, 2008?
The following requirements apply to section 404E scholarship awards provided by grantees whose initial GEAR UP grant awards were made on or after August 14, 2008 and any section 404E scholarship awards for grantees whose initial GEAR UP grant awards were issued prior to August 14, 2008, but who, pursuant to § 694.12(b)(2), elected to use the § 694.14 requirements (rather than the § 694.13 requirements).
(a)(1) The maximum scholarship amount that an eligible student may receive under section 404E of the HEA must be established by the grantee.
(2) The minimum scholarship amount that an eligible student receives in a fiscal year must not be less than the minimum Federal Pell Grant award under section 401 of the HEA at the time of award.
(3) If an eligible student who is awarded a GEAR UP scholarship attends an institution of higher education on a less than full-time basis during any award year, the State or Partnership awarding the GEAR UP scholarship may reduce the scholarship amount, but in no case may the percentage reduction in the scholarship be greater than the percentage reduction in tuition and fees charged to that student.
(b) For purposes of this section, an eligible student is a student who—
(1) Is less than 22 years old at the time of award of the first GEAR UP scholarship;
(2) Has received a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent on or after January 1, 1993;
(3) Is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a program of undergraduate instruction at an institution of higher education that is located within the State's boundaries, except that, at the grantee's option, a State or Partnership may offer scholarships to students who attend institutions of higher education outside the State; and
(4) Has participated in the activities required under § 694.21.
(c)(1) By the time students who have received services from a State grant have completed the twelfth grade, a State that has not received a waiver under section 404E(b)(2) of the HEA of the requirement to spend at least 50 percent of its GEAR UP funds on scholarships must have in reserve an amount that is not less than the minimum Federal Pell Grant multiplied by the number of students the State estimates will enroll in an institution of higher education.
(2) Consistent with paragraph (a) of this section and § 694.16(a), States must use funds held in reserve to make scholarships to eligible students.
(3) Scholarships must be made to all students who are eligible under the definition in paragraph (b) of this section. A grantee may not impose additional eligibility criteria that would have the effect of limiting or denying a scholarship to an eligible student.
(d) A State using a priority approach may award scholarships under paragraph (a) of this section to eligible students identified by priority at any time during the grant award period rather than reserving scholarship funds for use only in the seventh year of a project or after the grant award period.
(e) States providing scholarships must provide information on the eligibility requirements for the scholarships to all participating students upon the students' entry into the GEAR UP program.
(f) A State must provide scholarship funds as described in this section to all eligible students who attend an institution of higher education in the State, and may provide these scholarship funds to eligible students who attend institutions of higher education outside the State.
(g) A State or a Partnership that chooses to participate in the scholarship component in accordance with section 404E of the HEA may award continuation scholarships in successive award years to each student who received an initial scholarship and who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a program of undergraduate instruction at an institution of higher education.
(h) A GEAR UP scholarship, provided under section 404E of the HEA, may not be considered in the determination of a student's eligibility for other grant assistance provided under title IV of the HEA, except that in no case may the total amount of student financial assistance awarded to a student under title IV of the HEA exceed the student's total cost of attendance.
§ 694.15   May a Partnership that does not award scholarships under section 404E of the HEA provide, as part of a GEAR UP project, financial assistance for postsecondary education using non-Federal funds?
A GEAR UP Partnership that does not participate in the GEAR UP scholarship component may provide financial assistance for postsecondary education with non-Federal funds, and those funds may be used to satisfy the matching requirement.
§ 694.16   What are the requirements for redistribution or return of scholarship funds not awarded to a project's eligible students?
The following requirements apply only to section 404E scholarship awards for grantees whose initial GEAR UP grant awards were made on or after August 14, 2008, and to any section 404E scholarship awards for grantees whose initial GEAR UP grant awards were made prior to August 14, 2008, but who, pursuant to § 694.12(b)(2), elect to use the § 694.14 requirements (rather than the § 694.13 requirements):
(a) Scholarship funds held in reserve by States under § 694.14(c) or by Partnerships under section 404D(b)(7) of the HEA that are not used by eligible students as defined in § 694.14(b) within six years of the students' scheduled completion of secondary school may be redistributed by the grantee to other eligible students.
(b) Any Federal scholarship funds that are not used by eligible students within six years of the students' scheduled completion of secondary school, and are not redistributed by the grantee to other eligible students, must be returned to the Secretary within 45 days after the six-year period for expending the scholarship funds expires.
(c) Grantees that reserve funds for scholarships must annually furnish information, as the Secretary may require, on the amount of Federal and non-Federal funds reserved and held for GEAR UP scholarships and the disbursement of these scholarship funds to eligible students until these funds are fully expended or returned to the Secretary.
(d) A scholarship fund is subject to audit or monitoring by authorized representatives of the Secretary throughout the life of the fund.
§ 694.17   How does a State determine which State agency will apply for, and administer, a State grant under this program?
The Governor of a State must designate which State agency applies for, and administers, a State grant under GEAR UP.
§ 694.18   What requirements must be met by a Partnership or State participating in GEAR UP with respect to 21st Century Scholarship Certificates?
(a) A State or Partnership must provide, in accordance with procedures the Secretary may specify, a 21st Century Scholar Certificate to each student participating in its GEAR UP project.
(b) 21st Century Scholarship Certificates must be personalized and indicate the amount of Federal financial aid for college and the estimated amount of any scholarship provided under section 404E of the HEA, if applicable, that a student may be eligible to receive.
§ 694.19   What priorities does the Secretary establish for a GEAR UP grant?
The Secretary awards competitive preference priority points to an eligible applicant for a State grant that has both—
(a) Carried out a successful State GEAR UP grant prior to August 14, 2008, determined on the basis of data (including outcome data) submitted by the applicant as part of its annual and final performance reports, and the applicant's history of compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements; and
(b) A prior, demonstrated commitment to early intervention leading to college access through collaboration and replication of successful strategies.
§ 694.20   When may a GEAR UP grantee provide services to students attending an institution of higher education?
(a) The Secretary authorizes an eligible State or Partnership to provide GEAR UP services to students attending an institution of higher education if the State or Partnership—
(1) Applies for and receives a new GEAR UP award after August 14, 2008, and
(2) In its application, requested a seventh year so that it may continue to provide services to students through their first year of attendance at an institution of higher education.
(b) A State grantee that uses a priority (rather than or in addition to a cohort) approach to identify participating students may, consistent with its approved application and at any time during the project period, provide services to students during their first year of attendance at an institution of higher education, provided that the grantee continues to provide all required services throughout the Federal budget period to GEAR UP students still enrolled in a local educational agency.
(c) If a grantee is awarded a seven year grant, consistent with the grantee's approved application, during the seventh year of the grant the grantee—
(1) Must provide services to students in their first year of attendance at an institution of higher education; and
(2) May choose to provide services to high school students who have yet to graduate.
(d) Grantees that continue to provide services under this part to students through their first year of attendance at an institution of higher education must, to the extent practicable, coordinate with other campus programs, including academic support services to enhance, not duplicate service.
§ 694.21   What are required activities for GEAR UP projects?
A grantee must provide comprehensive mentoring, outreach, and supportive services to students participating in the GEAR UP program. These services must include the following activities:
(a) Providing information regarding financial aid for postsecondary education to eligible participating students.
(b) Encouraging student enrollment in rigorous and challenging curricula and coursework, in order to reduce the need for remedial coursework at the postsecondary level.
(c) Implementing activities to improve the number of participating students who—
(1) Obtain a secondary school diploma, and
(2) Complete applications for, and enroll in, a program of postsecondary education.
(d) In the case of a State grantee that has not received a 100-percent waiver under section 404E(b)(2) of the HEA, providing scholarships in accordance with section 404E of the HEA.
§ 694.22   What other activities may all GEAR UP projects provide?
A grantee may use grant funds to carry out one or more of the following services and activities:
(a) Providing tutors and mentors, who may include adults or former participants in a GEAR UP program, for eligible students.
(b) Conducting outreach activities to recruit priority students (identified in section 404D(d) of the HEA) to participate in program activities.
(c) Providing supportive services to eligible students.
(d) Supporting the development or implementation of rigorous academic curricula, which may include college preparatory, Advanced Placement, or International Baccalaureate programs, and providing participating students access to rigorous core academic courses that reflect challenging State academic standards.
(e) Supporting dual or concurrent enrollment programs between the secondary school and institution of higher education partners of a GEAR UP Partnership, and other activities that support participating students in—
(1) Meeting challenging State academic standards;
(2) Successfully applying for postsecondary education;
(3) Successfully applying for student financial aid; and
(4) Developing graduation and career plans, including career awareness and planning assistance as they relate to a rigorous academic curriculum.
(f) Providing special programs or tutoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
(g) For Partnerships, providing scholarships described in section 404E of the HEA, and for all grantees providing appropriate administrative support for GEAR UP scholarships.
(h) Introducing eligible students to institutions of higher education, through trips and school-based sessions.
(i) Providing an intensive extended school day, school year, or summer program that offers—
(1) Additional academic classes; or
(2) Assistance with college admission applications.
(j) Providing other activities designed to ensure secondary school completion and postsecondary education enrollment of at-risk children, such as:
(1) Identification of at-risk children.
(2) After-school and summer tutoring.
(3) Assistance to at-risk children in obtaining summer jobs.
(4) Academic counseling.
(5) Financial and economic literacy education or counseling.
(6) Volunteer and parent involvement.
(7) Encouraging former or current participants of a GEAR UP program to serve as peer counselors.
(8) Skills assessments.
(9) Personal and family counseling, and home visits.
(10) Staff development.
(11) Programs and activities that are specially designed for students who are limited English proficient.
(k) Enabling eligible students to enroll in Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses, or college entrance examination preparation courses.
(l) Providing services to eligible students in the participating cohort described in § 694.3 through the first year of attendance at an institution of higher education.
(m) Fostering and improving parent and family involvement in elementary and secondary education by promoting the advantages of a college education, and emphasizing academic admission requirements and the need to take college preparation courses, through parent engagement and leadership activities.
(n) Disseminating information that promotes the importance of higher education, explains college preparation and admission requirements, and raises awareness of the resources and services provided by the eligible entities to eligible students, their families, and communities.
(o) For a GEAR UP Partnership grant, in the event that matching funds described in the approved application are no longer available, engaging other potential partners in a collaborative manner to provide matching resources and to participate in other activities authorized in §§ 694.21, 694.22, and 694.23.
§ 694.23   What additional activities are allowable for State GEAR UP projects?
In addition to the required and permissible activities identified in §§ 694.21 and 694.22, a State may use grant funds to carry out one or more of the following services and activities:
(a) Providing technical assistance to—
(1) Secondary schools that are located within the State; or
(2) Partnerships that are eligible to apply for a GEAR UP grant and that are located within the State.
(b) Providing professional development opportunities to individuals working with eligible cohorts of students.
(c) Providing administrative support to help build the capacity of Partnerships to compete for and manage grants awarded under the GEAR UP program.
(d) Providing strategies and activities that align efforts in the State to prepare eligible students to attend and succeed in postsecondary education, which may include the development of graduation and career plans.
(e) Disseminating information on the use of scientifically valid research and best practices to improve services for eligible students.
(f)(1) Disseminating information on effective coursework and support services that assist students in achieving the goals described in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section, and
(2) Identifying and disseminating information on best practices with respect to—
(i) Increasing parental involvement; and
(ii) Preparing students, including students with disabilities and students who are limited English proficient, to succeed academically in, and prepare financially for, postsecondary education.
(g) Working to align State academic standards and curricula with the expectations of postsecondary institutions and employers.
(h) Developing alternatives to traditional secondary school that give students a head start on attaining a recognized postsecondary credential (including an industry-recognized certificate, an apprenticeship, or an associate's or a bachelor's degree), including school designs that give students early exposure to college-level courses and experiences and allow students to earn transferable college credits or an associate's degree at the same time as a secondary school diploma.
(i) Creating community college programs for individuals who have dropped out of high school that are personalized drop-out recovery programs, and that allow drop-outs to complete a secondary school diploma and begin college-level work.
§ 694.24   What services may a GEAR UP project provide to students in their first year at an institution of higher education?
Consistent with their approved applications and § 694.20, a grantee may provide any services to students in their first year of attendance at an institution of higher education that will help those students succeed in school, and that do not duplicate services otherwise available to them. Examples of services that may be provided include—
(a) Orientation services including introduction to on-campus services and resources;
(b) On-going counseling to students either in person or though electronic or other means of correspondence;
(c) Assistance with course selection for the second year of postsecondary education;
(d) Assistance with choosing and declaring an academic major;
(e) Assistance regarding academic, social, and personal areas of need;
(f) Referrals to providers of appropriate services;
(g) Tutoring, mentoring, and supplemental academic support;
(h) Assistance with financial planning;
(i) Career counseling and advising services; or
(j) Advising students about transferring to other schools.
§ 694.25   Are GEAR UP grantees required to provide services to students who were served under a previous GEAR UP grant?
If a Partnership or State is awarded a GEAR UP grant on or after August 14, 2008 (i.e., initial grant), the grant ends before all students who received GEAR UP services under the grant have completed the twelfth grade, and the grantee receives a new award in a subsequent GEAR UP competition (i.e., new grant), the grantee must—
(a) Continue to provide services required by or authorized under §§ 694.21, 694.22, and 694.23 to all students who received GEAR UP services under the initial grant and remain enrolled in secondary schools until they complete the twelfth grade; and
(b) Provide the services specified in paragraph (a) of this section by using Federal GEAR UP funds awarded for the new grant or funds from the non-Federal matching contribution required under the new grant.