The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a discretionary grant program 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.  The Hillsborough County Public Schools GEAR UP 11th and 12th grade students at Leto and Middleton were selected to attend the out-of-state college campus visits based on their academic progress, school attendance, GEAR UP participation, and parental involvement, which was documented by a point system. 

This bid was prepared at the request of the Academic Programs Department to establish pricing for an all inclusive trip and tour to Washington DC; New York City; and Raleigh, North Carolina, for a group of 50 students and 5 chaperones during the week of spring break.  They will be visiting several universities, including Howard, Columbia, and Duke, as well as scheduled visits to places such as the Smithsonian Museums, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and even a Broadway show.  This recommendation has been reviewed by the Supervisor of Academic Programs.  A more detailed review of the specifications can be obtained by contacting the Procurement Department.  The initial term of this contract will be for a six-month period.  The Superintendent is authorized to extend the agreement 180 days, if needed, per the terms of the specifications.

Funds not to exceed $52,655 will be available in the Academic Programs Department budget for this trip.