Frequently Asked Questions

Cost share: The total cost of GEAR UP is shared equally by the US Department of Education and the grantee and their partners. In other words, grantees are required to match their total award dollar-for-dollar. Matching contributions can come from any non-federal source and must be carefully documented. Cost share can be in-kind as well as actual contributions. Matching funds can be anything that you could use federal GEAR UP funds to support. Partnerships can ask for a waiver to reduce the match percentage under certain circumstances.

APR: The Annual Performance Report is required by the US Dept. of Education and is due every April 15th (or the nearest weekday). Data collected includes demographics, program participation and academic achievement. In addition, results from surveys of students and parents are required every other year. 

We know that each district will have different pay structures and wage rates for this position. We estimated $50,000 a few years ago when we first wrote the grant so we acknowledge that may be outdated and not enough.

One option to make up the difference would be to ask the district to cover the difference. You will be able to count this as match and is a step closer to the district continuing the work of this position when the grant is over.

If that is not feasible, we will be happy to work with you and increase your allocation in future years in order to keep your programming budget whole.

Because things got off to a late start we know it may be difficult to spend this year's budget. This is a good opportunity to make some big purchases, but in the event you cannot spend it all, we will allow a one-time carry forward of funds to next year's budget.

Yes. Just be sure that you are not supplanting district funds. GEAR UP funds can be used to supplement existing offerings, but you can't shift the funds to GEAR UP if the district paid for it previously.

Yes! Please do.