Gear Up FWCS

Gaining
Early
Awareness and
Readiness for
Undergraduate
Programs

Class of  2024 and 2025

Gear Up FWCS

The Path to Your Future Starts Here

GEAR UP FWCS prepares students to pursue and succeed in their post-secondary education and careers.

Studies show that students benefit from early exposure to post-secondary knowledge, skills, and experiences. GEAR UP FWCS provides valuable exposure to college and career preparation — from structured programs, informational meetings and workshops to college visits, career visits, internships and partnerships.

Students receive individual support to pursue and achieve their educational and professional aspirations. Students can participate in a variety of programs, activities and services to ensure they have the knowledge, skills and abilities to become leaders as they further their education and careers.

The GEAR UP FWCS program is a federally funded program awarded by the United States Department of Education and is designed to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in post-secondary education.

GEAR UP FWCS Increases

Students’ academic performance

Students’ academic performance and preparation for post-secondary education

 
Students’ rate of high school graduation

Students’ rate of high school graduation and participation in post-secondary education

 
Family knowledge of post-secondary education

Family knowledge of post-secondary education options, preparation, and financing

Over 3,800 students have benefited from the GEAR UP FWCS program.

Upcoming Events

FAFSA Completion Assistance

FAFSA Completion Assistance

February 8th 2023

Wednesday 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Grades 12th

Career Day- Northwood

Career Day- Northwood

January 31st 2023

Tuesday 7:45 a.m.-9:45 a.m.

Grades 6th - 8th

GEAR UP Parent Financial

GEAR UP Parent Financial

February 9th 2023

Thursday 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Grades 10th - 11th

NCCEP/GEAR UP Capactiy

NCCEP/GEAR UP Capactiy

February 13th - 15th 2023

Monday - Wednesday 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Grades N/A

K-12 College & Career

K-12 College & Career Readiness Workshop

February 25th 2023

Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Grades K - 2nd

K-12 College & Career 2

K-12 College & Career Readiness Workshop

February 25th 2023

Saturday 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Grades 3rd - 5th

K-12 College & Career 3

K-12 College & Career Readiness Workshop

February 25th 2023

Saturday 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Grades 6th - 8th

>HOLD GEAR UP Trine

GEAR UP Trine

March 2nd 2023

TBD

Grades 10th - 11th

GEAR UP Ivy Tech Visit

GEAR UP Ivy Tech Visit

March 3rd 2023

Friday 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Grades 10th - 11th

Career Fair- Blackhawk Middle

Career Fair- Blackhawk Middle

March 3rd 2023

Friday 8:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.

Grades 7th

High School Game of Life Workshop

High School Game of Life Workshop

March 4th 2023

Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Grades 9th - 11th

K-12 College & Career Readiness Workshop

K-12 College & Career Readiness Workshop

March 4th 2023

Saturday 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Grades 6th - 8th

HOLD - Denision University

HOLD - Denision University

March 7th 2023

Tuesday TBD

Grades 10th - 11th

HOLD- Purdue University- West Lafayette

HOLD - Purdue University - West Lafayette

March 8th 2023

Wednesday HOLD TBD

Grades 10th - 11th

FAFSA Completion Assistance Day

FAFSA Completion Assistance Day

March 8th 2023

Wednesday 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Grades 12th

South Side College and Career Fair *HOLD*

South Side College and Career Fair *HOLD*

March 14th 2023

Tuesday 10:00 a.m.- 3:15 p.m.

Grades 9th - 12th

GEAR UP IU Bloomington

GEAR UP IU Bloomington

March 15th 2023

Wednesday 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.

Grades 10th - 11th

Girlz Rock

Girlz Rock

March 16th 2023

Thursday 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Grades 8th - 9th

College Fair at PFW Fieldhouse

College Fair at PFW Fieldhouse

TBD

Thursday 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Grades 12th

GEAR UP Michigan State

GEAR UP Michigan State

March 22nd 2023

Tuesday 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Grades 10th - 11th

HOLD Blackhawk MS to Trine

HOLD Blackhawk MS to Trine

March 23rd 2023

Thursday TBD

Grades 7th - 8th

Lane MS College Fair

Lane MS College Fair

March 24th 2023

Friday 6:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

Grades 6th - 8th

Music In Our Schools

Music In Our Schools

March 25th 2023

Saturday All Day

Grades 6th - 12th

GEAR UP Indiana State *HOLD*

GEAR UP Indiana State *HOLD*

March 29th 2023

Wednesday TBD

Grades 10th - 11th

Real Dads

Real Dads

March 29th 2023

Wednesday 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

All Grades

Aegis Sales and Engineering Inc., Ivy Tech Machining and Engineering, and Fort Wayne Metals Career Visit

Aegis Sales and Engineering Inc., Ivy Tech Machining and Engineering, and Fort Wayne Metals Career Visit

March 30th 2023

Thursday 10:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

Grades 10th - 11th

Benefits of GEAR UP FWCS

 
SKILLS & PROGRAMMING

SKILLS & PROGRAMMING

Enhance skills, knowledge and abilities to succeed after high school through programs, workshops, seminars, clubs, college visits, career visits and more

 
COLLEGE PREP

COLLEGE PREP

Gain knowledge, skills and experience to prepare for post-secondary education

 
TEST PREP

TEST PREP

Participate in SAT and ACT Bootcamps

 
SUPPORT

SUPPORT

Receive individualized college and career readiness support from GEAR UP FWCS staff

 
JOB EXPERIENCE

JOB EXPERIENCE

Gain job experience through internships and job shadowing

 
CONNECTIONS

CONNECTIONS

Connect with partners across Allen County

Here’s what our Student Advisors have to say.

"As a GEAR UP Student Advisor, I am able to help equip scholars with a better understanding of what they need in order to make the right decisions for themselves, their postsecondary education and their future. I am able to help them discover their passions, open their eyes to the possibilities and encourage them to follow their dreams. Every scholar is unique, and everyone has their own set of skills that they excel in. My hopes are that EVERY scholar realizes this, and they will all be successful in their own way."

— Angeliki Benge

“It fills my heart to know as a GEAR UP Advisor, I have the opportunity to enrich, motivate and transform my students’ lives. I come from a low-income household that does not believe in paying for college. Obtaining a college degree was my pathway to success, and I am committed to supporting the academic, social, and emotional needs of all students at FWCS. Together we will make a DIFFERENCE!”

— Allen Coultas

“Serving as a GEAR UP Student advisor affords me the opportunity to engage with students from diverse backgrounds. I am excited to educate students about college readiness. My hope is to see each of our students achieve their goals and dreams, as well as celebrate their achievements.”

— Leonel Pech

“I am passionate to be a GEAR UP Student Advisor because of the opportunities the program will provide to the students in our cohort. My hope is that each student begins to understand what value is, not only from what GEAR UP could offer, but from within themselves.”

— Michael Roberson

“I am passionate about being a Student Advisor because I want to be able to help guide students to achieve academic success and to give the students the knowledge, skills, and abilities in their quest for postsecondary success. By being a part of GEAR UP, I hope students learn the importance of getting a great start academically to their high school career and learn the importance of becoming college/career ready.”

— Tristan Young

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