The GEAR UP Iowa Scholarship provides awards of up to $2,600 per year to students who are part of the GEAR UP Iowa.
Scholarships are sent directly to the college/university that the student is attending and can be used to pay for tuition/fees, room/board, and personal/living expenses while in college. Learn More
What's Your RAI Score?
As of the fall of 2009, students from Iowa high schools who plan to attend the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University, or College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at The University of Iowa must have a Regent Admission Index score of at least 245 and take the minimum number of required high school courses to qualify for automatic admission. Students who achieve a score less than 245 will be considered for admission on an individual basis.
The Regent Admission Index combines four factors that strongly predict success at regent universities: ACT or SAT test score, high school rank, high school cumulative grade-point average, and the number of completed high school core courses. For more information and to calculate your unofficial Regent Admission Index score, visit the Board of Regents website located at http://www.regents.iowa.gov/RAI/index.html
Follow GEAR UP Iowa
Funded by a $16.8 million Federal grant, GEAR UP Iowa (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is charged with significantly increasing the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Read more...
Iowa Students Place Fifth in the National Real World Design Challenge!
The National Real World Design Challenge Competition was held April 19-21 in Washington D.C. The Iowa Governor’s Cup winner, Falcon Fever, from West High School in Davenport, represented the State at the national aerospace engineering competition. The six-member team of high school students utilized engineering software to develop their solution for “a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS), including one or more fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs),” and developed a business plan in support of commercial applications for their solution.” Falcon Fever competed in the challenge with the help of two teacher mentors, as well as industry professionals from local and national companies. Two team members are part of the GEAR UP Iowa cohort and plan to continue their education in a STEM field after high school graduation. GEAR UP Iowa supported the team with technology, and staff served as presentation judges for the Governor’s Cup Challenge which was held this past January.
Teams from across the country were divided into groups of four, based on their notebook scores, and judged within that group. Based on its notebook score, Iowa’s team was placed in the second group, designating the team to be in the top eight in the country based on their notebook score. Overall, the team placed 5th in the national competition, a significant achievement for the team’s second national appearance. Davenport West was Iowa’s Governor’s Cup Winner last year as well, with some team members changing as students graduated and additional ones gained interest in the aerospace field and STEM-related careers. Learn More
'Heart of a Student' Gets Students Rapping About College
GEAR UP Iowa is giving GEAR UP Iowa students the opportunity to experience a one-of-a-kind high school assembly that incorporates rap, hip-hop, and social media elements to get them thinking about higher education! Through 'Heart of a Student', founded by former Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa admissions counselor Dante Means, students invest their energy into positive activities that support their future aspirations. Unique in its approach, 'Heart of a Student' provides a fun, energetic and exciting atmosphere while incorporating educational and college planning content.
Below, 'Heart of a Student' raps its way into Denison High School.
GEAR UP Iowa Challenge - Reducing Student Loan Debt
In an opportunity to partner on a service learning grant application, the GEAR UP Iowa staff explored ideas that would increase awareness about college access and financial aid. Research showed Iowa's college graduates to have some of the highest debt in the nation, sparking the question: How do we eliminate or reduce the amount of student loans for Iowa's students. This question was introduced as a challenge to GEAR UP Iowa partner schools across the State. Columbus Junction High School and Davenport West High School accepted the challenge and presented their solution to communities, schools, parents, and Iowa College Aid representatives. Read More
