SSC Receives $6.5 Million in GEAR UP Federal Grant |

Seminole State College received notification this week from the U.S. Department of Education that it will receive $6.5 million through the “GEAR UP – Believe and Achieve” grant.

The grant will provide $934,400 annually over a seven-year period, beginning September 1, 2024.

This funding will serve approximately 1,168 students across 12 school districts, including Asher, Holdenville, Konawa, Maud, Moss, Okemah, Seminole, Strother, Tecumseh, Varnum, Wetumka, and Wewoka.

In this photo, SSC GEAR UP students pose for a group photo during their visit to Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana, during their 2023 summer trip. — Seminole State College’s GEAR UP federal grant program recently received a renewal for $6.5 million over the course of seven years. Pictured: SSC GEAR UP students visit Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana, during their 2023 summer trip.

“The awarding of this grant is a testament to the positive impact our GEAR UP program has on the lives of students in our community,” SSC President Lana Reynolds said. “We are thrilled to expand our efforts and help even more students achieve their educational goals.”

GEAR UP, which stands for “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs,” is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Unlike many other grant programs, GEAR UP does not require an application process for participation. Instead, student and parent coordinators work with a cohort of students starting in sixth and seventh grade, mentoring them through their first year of postsecondary education.

The program provides a variety of services, including workshops, academic enrichment, mentoring, educational field trips, and information on financial aid and Oklahoma’s Promise. GEAR UP also supports professional development for educators, training for parents on the importance of secondary education and summer camps for participants.

The new funding marks an increase of approximately $130,000 per year compared to the previous grant, which concludes in September. With these additional resources, SSC will employee eight people and introduce new elements to the program.

Among the enhancements, the grant renewal includes a new partnership with Texas Instruments, which will provide technology and resources to students. The College will also collaborate with CoBro Consulting on a research project designed to assess and improve program outcomes.

“Congratulations to former SSC GEAR UP Director Jeremy Strickland—now the principal at Wewoka High School—and SSC Comptroller Julie Hix for their instrumental roles in securing this competitively awarded grant. We also appreciate the support of U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Bice and other members of the Oklahoma Congressional delegation for their ongoing advocacy of SSC’s federal grant programs,” President Reynolds said.