Oklahoma GEAR UP Logo - Preparing students for college

Families & Students

Student & Family Resources

Studies show that college graduates make over $1 million more in their lifetime than adults who only have a high school diploma or GED. For some families, however, college might still feel out of reach. From making sense of college admission standards to figuring out financial aid, the process can seem challenging. GEAR UP is here for nearly 16,000 students across Oklahoma to ensure that college-hopeful students can access every resource they need to become college grads.

Students from Ada High School

Financial Aid

Your child doesn’t have to be a perfect student or an athlete to get help paying for college. Grants, scholarships, work-study and low interest loans are all available for anyone just by filling out forms and following through.

Students from Tahlequah on a campus visit at NSU

Connect U

CONNECT U is a program designed specifically to help high school seniors with the college enrollment process. CONNECT U helps ease the transition to college by providing tools needed for the first day of school.

Oklahoma's Promise Logo

Oklahoma's Promise

In Oklahoma, financial aid is readily available. Oklahoma's Promise offers qualified Oklahoma students an opportunity to earn a scholarship for college tuition. Requirements:

  • Must be an Oklahoma resident.
  • Must enroll in the 8th, 9th, 10th or 11th grade.
  • Must be a student whose parents' federal adjusted gross income does not exceed:
    • $60,000 with 1 or 2 dependent children OR
    • $70,000 with 3 or 4 dependent children OR
    • $80,000 with 5 or more dependent children.

Downloadable documents require a PDF software viewer such as Acrobat Reader and the ability to view Microsoft document types such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Get Started

Quick links to help you start a plan for college, including how to start saving for college and how to apply for financial aid.

Link Oklahoma's Promise

The Oklahoma's Promise Scholarship Program pays college tuition for students who meet certain academic and behavior requirements and whose families meet the income requirements.

Link OKcollegestart.org

Check out Oklahoma's official website for college planning. Find out the courses you need to take in high school, the grades you have to make to qualify for college admission and financial aid tips and tools.

Link Oklahoma College Savings Plan

Start saving for college now! Learn more about Oklahoma's 529 plan and how contributions can be deducted from state income taxes. Schedule monthly payroll deductions for convenience!

Link Oklahoma's Colleges and Universities

Find out what colleges and universities are available in Oklahoma, the programs they offer and admissions and contact information.

Link Oklahoma College Assistance Program

The Oklahoma College Assistance Program provides great resources on saving for college, planning financially for college and paying for college.

Link Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education official website provides great information on higher education institutions, programs and services in the state of Oklahoma.

Link ACT

Find out more information about the ACT college admission exam.

Link FAFSA.gov

Start your Free Application for Federal Student Aid at FAFSA.gov.

Link Types of Financial Aid

Learn the differences between financial aid options, such as grants, loans, work study and scholarship programs.

Plan a College Visit

GEAR UP knows from our data and national data that it takes three college visits for a student to believe they can be successful in postsecondary education. Click here to learn more.

Educators Toolbox

Let us help you impact student learning with resources and leadership opportunities.

Financial Aid

There are many options available to help families pay for college.

GEAR UP Schools

Oklahoma GEAR UP proudly serves EVERY student in our partnering 13 school districts across the state. Learn more about our services.

Oklahoma GEAR UP Partnering School Districts

Map of the GEAR UP Grant V Schools