20 U.S.C. § 1070a–21 — Early intervention and college awareness program authorized

(a) The Secretary^* may establish GEAR UP to encourage eligible entities to support eligible low-income students, including students with disabilities, through secondary-school completion and preparation for and success in postsecondary education. Services include financial help, academic support, counseling, mentoring, outreach, and other support to reduce dropping out and the need for postsecondary remedial education, plus information for students and families about the benefits of postsecondary education and college-financing choices. (b) From section 1070a–28 funds, the Secretary must award grants to the eligible entities in (c). A grant normally lasts six years. It may last seven years when the entity applies for seven years so it can serve a student through the student’s first year at a higher-education institution. For State^* entities, priority goes to those that ran successful programs on the day before August 14, 2008, and showed a prior commitment to early intervention through collaboration and replication of successful strategies. Students served then must continue receiving help through secondary-school completion. (c) “Eligible entity” means a State, or a partnership of one or more local educational agencies and one or more degree-granting higher-education institutions. The partnership may also include at least two community organizations or other entities, such as businesses, professional organizations, State agencies, section 1070a–28 program sponsors, or other public or private agencies or organizations.