GEAR UP Achieve aims to connect students and families with the information they need to be college and career ready, as well as useful information for educators supporting these students. The resources provided on this page offer insights on the national GEAR UP program, resources from the state of Alabama, financial assistance for higher education and more!
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- Learn all about the U.S. Department of Education's GEAR UP grant program, which is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
- Discover Career and Technical Education resources available to Alabama students.
- Explore student organizations, courses of study and additional resources to help students prepare for postsecondary learning and workforce opportunities.
- Explore the grant possibilities that open up with completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Discover the different types of financial aid, from grants to loans.
- Explore scholarship opportunities.
- Explore best practices for postsecondary advising.
- Strategies to encourage FAFSA completion among students and families.
- Discover rubrics, calendars and trackers that can aid in student success.
- Discover all about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), including who should complete the form, what information will be required and how long the form will take.
Below you will find direct links to several of GEAR UP Achieve's service partners' websites. GEAR UP Achieve is proud to partner with a roster of educational service vendors with the goal of increasing access to quality programming and additional enrichment services for the students, families and schools served by the GEAR UP Achieve grant.
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- Access on-demand and prescheduled academic support in more than 200 subject areas.
- Access ACT test prep, FAFSA information and other financial aid resources, and resources for dual enrollment students.
- Use the link and login information below to access Tutor.com:
Username: [Your Unique Student ID]Password: GearUp22
- Explore career options on Pathful's leading career readiness and development platform.
- Access college and career advising tools to support postsecondary aspirations and completion of critical steps toward higher education.
- Use the link and login information below to access Pathful:
Username:[Your Unique Student ID]Password: GearUp22
- Access a digital learning pathway with ACT-aligned modules in English language arts, science and mathematics taught through data literacy contexts.
- Learn more about various college and career pathways through a virtual speaker series.
- For specific login information, student should contact their GEAR UP School Liaison for the join code.
At GEAR UP Achieve, we are dedicated to empowering our high school students to achieve their academic and career goals, and that starts with communication. Look to The Lowdown for regular updates on the program, information on how to get involved and relevant resources to help GEAR UP Achieve students succeed in high school and beyond!
The Lowdown - December 2025
The introductory edition of The Lowdown, a newsletter from GEAR UP Achieve, was published in December 2025. This edition recognized staff members who have joined national committees and highlighted news headlines about GEAR UP Achieve's activities around the state.
The Lowdown - January 2026
This edition of The Lowdown covered statewide conferences attended by the GEAR UP Achieve staff, highlighted the grant's partnership with Tutor.com and included the latest headlines from GEAR UP Achieve.
The Lowdown - February 2026
The February 2026 edition of The Lowdown introduced the grant's new director, Erika E. Rucker, covered several college and university field trips and offered a deeper dive into grant partner Tutor.com's services.
