There are so many things that are valuable for parents to know. It's our job to help our students in every way we can so that they succeed in life!

"It opens my eyes that there are a lot of majors and I can pick any one."

"It is new for a lot of them, they haven't been to a college campus before... It gives them something to strive for, to look forward to."

“We had a huge support network because it’s an entire community. The whole school believed in me and that I would go on to college, so why wouldn’t—or shouldn’t—I?”

GEAR UP Iowa gives you a headstart, a bonus, a leg up — if you want to make a difference in your life, and in the lives of others, there’s a whole team of people ready to work with you for that.

Beyond the financial aspects, the obligations that a student has later in life be it raising a family or setting a career goal, looking back and having had the ability to obtain that college education... they're experiencing more than just academics."

"My goal is to work hard and get my degree to become a pediatrician. I know I have to work hard and keep my GPA up in science classes. I think it's a great opportunity that we were chosen to be part of the GEAR UP program."

"You can't go through it alone. You need to have someone there to support you."

"Some places will accept you and some places won’t, but you should always make the best out of your experience."