The U.S. Department of Education has awarded the 17-campus University of North Carolina a seven-year, $28.6-million Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grant to help significantly increase the number of North Carolina students  who are prepared to pursue postsecondary education.   As part of the national GEAR UP initiative, GEAR UP North Carolina will partner with 11 school districts across the state that serve predominantly low-income communities, providing academic preparation services to nearly 22,000 students – starting as early as the 7^th grade – and their families.  The program is funded through 2019.  This is the third statewide GEAR UP grant that the University has received since 2000. Click here to read more.