This discretionary grant program is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. GEAR UP provides six-year grants to states and partnerships to provide services at high-poverty middle and high schools. GEAR UP grantees serve an entire cohort of students beginning no later than the seventh grade and follow the cohort through high school. GEAR UP funds are also used to provide college scholarships to low-income students.
United ISD has a collaborative partnership with Region One to service Six Middle Schools in the south.
Services are substantiated by validated research and are intended to result in a systemic examination, alignment, and implementation of policies, programs, and practices that enable students to succeed in college. GEAR UP: Ready, Set, College! is organized into the five program objectives listed below.

• Objective 1:  Increase cohort students’ academic performance to adequately prepare them for post-secondary education. 
• Objective 2:  Increase the rate of high school graduation and participation in post-secondary education for GEAR UP students through a systemic transformation of schools.
• Objective 3:  Increase GEAR UP students’ educational expectations and students’ and families knowledge and post-secondary education, preparation, and financing.
• Objective 4:  Increase students'/parents’ knowledge and skills, including STEM – Computer Science Skills and prepare them to be informed, thoughtful, and productive citizens.