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Thanks to the partnership of our 5E Schools and community partners, Arizona GEAR UP helps students and families get ready for postsecondary plans.

We know one of the biggest hurdles is the price tag of a college education. Luckily, help exists in the form of scholarships and financial aid.

But where to start? The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) opened in October, and the earlier students apply, the more likely they will receive FREE… Read more

Arizona GEAR UP alumna Jennifer Jaimes Gomez graduated from Mohave High School in 2018. Currently, she attends Arizona State University and studies elementary education, with plans to teach in her community one day.

Jennifer first joined GEAR UP in 2012 as part of the 2012-19 grant cycle that followed a cohort model and worked with students from middle school through their first year of college.

“In middle school, it was more getting to know college terms and… Read more

Dawson Williams is a Junior at Northern Arizona University and says his time in Arizona GEAR UP helped him get to where he is today.

Dawson grew up in Bullhead City, Arizona, where he was first introduced to GEAR UP in middle school and began learning about postsecondary education. Dawson’s school was a part of the 2012 grant cycle that followed a cohort from middle school through their first year in postsecondary education.

In high school, Dawson was exposed to the… Read more

COVID-19 has shifted the way people go about their daily lives. From home life to work life, everyone adjusted routines. A survey taken in June from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that 40.9% of people surveyed have experienced some form of mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression.

While it’s natural to feel stressed and anxious in challenging times, mental health experts recommend acknowledging and accepting these feelings as they arise.… Read more

Arizona GEAR UP alumna Rachell Peña graduated from San Luis High School in 2018, and now has big plans for the future.

Rachell got involved with Arizona GEAR UP during her freshman year in high school. “It’s a very beneficial program, and everyone who can take part should take full advantage,” Rachell said. “GEAR UP helped me with applying for college and scholarships and all those details I didn’t know about since my mom hadn’t gone to college.”

At a very… Read more