The Seminole State College GEAR UP project is a GEAR UP Partnership Grant. Partnership grants are funded on the basis of working together with the schools, families, students, and communities to encourage and prepare more students to obtain a post-secondary education.

• Asher Public Schools
• Holdenville Public Schools
• Konawa Public Schools
• Maud Public Schools
• Okemah Public Schools
• Seminole Public Schools
• Varnum Public Schools
• Wetumka Public Schools
• Wewoka Public Schools
• Strother public schools
• Tecumseh Public Schools
• Moss Public Schools

GEAR UP includes assisting educators who work in our partner schools with the current cohort we are serving. GEAR UP assists educators within our partner schools through financial assistance for professional development opportunities including conferences, trainings, etc.

The process for evaluation for financial assistance includes an application to be signed and submitted by the partner school employee which also includes a signature as an endorsement of the training by a district administrator. Application must be submitted BEFORE conference/training. Funds are not available for travel out-of-state.

To qualify for assistance:

· The applicant must be a public-school teacher, counselor, or administrator currently employed by one of the 10 school districts served by the Seminole State College GEAR UP grant AND

· The teacher, counselor, or administrator must currently teach or supervise the instruction of students in the grant’s cohort group (11th or 12th grade) or be scheduled to teach students in the cohort for the 2022-2024 academic year AND

· The application must include an endorsement of the training by a district administrator prior to submission for consideration.

Parent, family, and community involvement in education results in higher academic performance and school improvement. When schools, parents, families, and communities work together to support learning, students tend to earn higher grades, attend school more regularly, stay in school longer, and are more likely to enroll in postsecondary education programs.

Check out these links to see how you can be more involved!

• https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/planning-for-college-parent-vs-student-responsibilities/
• https://smartmoneymamas.com/options-after-high-school/
• https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/parents-guide-college-planning/

Planning for college can be stressful, that’s why GEAR UP is here to help guide you.

Check out these resources to see how you can start preparing for college!

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
• https://oklahomaworks.gov/oklahoma-workforce-data/critical-occupations/
• https://www.salliemae.com/blog/7-things-high-school-students-can-do-to-plan-for-college/
• https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-prepare-for-college-in-high-school/
• https://studentaid.gov/resources/prepare-for-college

https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Free Application Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – The U.S. Department of Education awards more than $120 billion a year in grants, work-study funds, and low-interest loans to more than 13 million students. Federal student aid covers such expenses as tuition and fees, room and

board, books and supplies, and transportation. Aid can also help pay for other related expenses, such as a computer and dependent care. Thousands of schools across the country participate in the federal student aid programs; ask the schools you’re interested in whether they do!

There are three types of federal student aid: · Grants—financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund). · Work-study—a work program through which you earn money to help you pay for school. · Loans—borrowed money for college or career school; you must repay your loans, with interest.

https://www.okhighered.org/okpromise/

Oklahoma’s Promise pays for your full tuition at Colleges and Technology centers in Oklahoma! You MUST complete the OK Promise application BEFORE your senior year of High school. Students must also meet academic and conduct requirements in high school.

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be an Oklahoma resident.
• Must be enrolled in the 8th, 9th, 10th, or 11th grade.
• Must be a student whose parents' federal adjusted gross income does not exceed:
  • $60,000 with 1 or 2 dependent children OR
  • $70,000 with 3 or 4 dependent children OR
  • $80,000 with 5 or more dependent children

To apply for assistance, print and complete the provided form. The application should be returned to the GEAR UP offices by fax to (405) 382-9688 or a scanned digital copy may be emailed to J.Bennett@sscok.edu. For any questions about the application process please call (405)-382-9686

https://okcareerguide.kuder.com/landing-page

OK Career Guide is an easy online tool available for all Oklahomans to explore and guide their future. You can take assessments, identify occupations, establish education plans and, ultimately, connect to employers. Whether you are a student searching for career and college options or an adult looking for a new career path, OK Career Guide is the powerful tool to

provide all the career and educational resources you will need to chart your course for the future.

Signal Vine is a safe, monitored text messaging platform that allows students and parents to communicate with the GEAR UP staff. Sign up to receive important reminders for events and deadlines!

Students Text GEARUP to 405-212-9368

Parents Text GEARUP to 405-233-8940

Learn more about signal vine here!

Student Success Agency is a safe, monitored student support platform. Students will be assigned to an “agent” or mentor they can safely message for support in tutoring, college planning, mental health mentoring, and more!

Learn more about Student Success Agency here!