WSU Tri-Cities

Emergency Messages as of 3:12 PM, Tue. Oct 13

No information currently posted.

logo

Subscribe to receive FlashAlert messages from WSU Tri-Cities.

Manage my existing Subscription

News Release

WSU GEAR UP Receives $42 Million To Expand College And Career Readiness Support Across Washington School Districts - 10/13/26

RICHLAND, WA — Washington State University GEAR UP has been awarded two new seven-year federal grants to help students across Washington prepare for success in high school, college and beyond. 

 

Totaling approximately $42 million in renewed funding, the awards will provide $6 million annually to support long-term partnerships between WSU GEAR UP and 18 school districts throughout the state. Through those partnerships, students and families will receive academic and career planning support beginning in middle school and continuing through high school graduation.

 

GEAR UP, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a federally funded initiative that helps students from economically disadvantaged schools overcome educational and financial barriers to career success.

 

“These grants represent an investment in the future of Washington students and communities,” said Jennifer Guerra, interim program director for WSU GEAR UP Harvest of Hope. “Through sustained partnerships with schools and families, we can help more students discover opportunities, build confidence in their abilities and develop a clear plan for achieving their goals after graduation.”

 

Through WSU GEAR UP, students at partnering schools gain access to services and programming aimed at academic preparation, college and career exploration, financial aid and financial literacy, postsecondary planning, student leadership experiences and more. GEAR UP staff also seek to provide opportunities for students to experience colleges and career pathways firsthand.

 

The multi-year structure of the grant funding allows WSU GEAR UP to work alongside students throughout the critical years of educational decision-making. By providing consistent support over time, the program helps students develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to pursue their goals after high school.

 

The two awards include the Harvest of Hope 6 grant, which provides $4.1 million annually and supports the following districts: 

  • College Place School District 
  • Highland School District 
  • Kennewick School District 
  • Moses Lake School District 
  • Othello School District 
  • Soap Lake School District 
  • Walla Walla School District 
  • Warden School District 

The One Vision Partnership 7 grant provides $1.9 million annually and supports: 

  • Clarkston School District 
  • Columbia-Burbank School District 
  • Davenport School District 
  • Ephrata School District 
  • Finley School District 
  • Kiona-Benton School District 
  • Mabton School District 
  • North Franklin School District 
  • Pasco School District 
  • Prosser School District 

WSU’s GEAR UP program is administered at the WSU Tri-Cities campus in Richland. 

WSU GEAR UP Receives $42 Million To Expand College And Career Readiness Support Across Washington School Districts - 10/13/26

RICHLAND, WA — Washington State University GEAR UP has been awarded two new seven-year federal grants to help students across Washington prepare for success in high school, college and beyond. 

 

Totaling approximately $42 million in renewed funding, the awards will provide $6 million annually to support long-term partnerships between WSU GEAR UP and 18 school districts throughout the state. Through those partnerships, students and families will receive academic and career planning support beginning in middle school and continuing through high school graduation.

 

GEAR UP, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a federally funded initiative that helps students from economically disadvantaged schools overcome educational and financial barriers to career success.

 

“These grants represent an investment in the future of Washington students and communities,” said Jennifer Guerra, interim program director for WSU GEAR UP Harvest of Hope. “Through sustained partnerships with schools and families, we can help more students discover opportunities, build confidence in their abilities and develop a clear plan for achieving their goals after graduation.”

 

Through WSU GEAR UP, students at partnering schools gain access to services and programming aimed at academic preparation, college and career exploration, financial aid and financial literacy, postsecondary planning, student leadership experiences and more. GEAR UP staff also seek to provide opportunities for students to experience colleges and career pathways firsthand.

 

The multi-year structure of the grant funding allows WSU GEAR UP to work alongside students throughout the critical years of educational decision-making. By providing consistent support over time, the program helps students develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to pursue their goals after high school.

 

The two awards include the Harvest of Hope 6 grant, which provides $4.1 million annually and supports the following districts: 

  • College Place School District 
  • Highland School District 
  • Kennewick School District 
  • Moses Lake School District 
  • Othello School District 
  • Soap Lake School District 
  • Walla Walla School District 
  • Warden School District 

The One Vision Partnership 7 grant provides $1.9 million annually and supports: 

  • Clarkston School District 
  • Columbia-Burbank School District 
  • Davenport School District 
  • Ephrata School District 
  • Finley School District 
  • Kiona-Benton School District 
  • Mabton School District 
  • North Franklin School District 
  • Pasco School District 
  • Prosser School District 

WSU’s GEAR UP program is administered at the WSU Tri-Cities campus in Richland.