CONWAY, Ark. — Most students don't start thinking about college until high school, but a new program might change that.
The University of Central Arkansas is the first university in Arkansas to receive the GEAR UP grant, and with it, thousands of middle schoolers will get a head start planning for their future.
More than 3,000 sixth and seventh graders across the state will soon have a better idea of what being ready for college truly means.
"We have to have these conversations earlier," GEAR UP Principal Investigator Charlotte Parham said.
Parham said the $30 million grant focuses on academic preparation, college aspiration, and entry.
"We're not saying every kid has to go to college," Parham said. "What we are saying is that if you go or choose not to go to college, it needs to be because that's a choice you made and not because you're not academically prepared to make that choice."
Parham also wants to knock down financial barriers.
"Once these students get to 12th grade, we have money set aside to help them go to college," Parham added.
Sixth and seventh graders in 11 school districts statewide are in the program, with Jacksonville North Pulaski being one of them.
Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Owoh said GEAR UP will positively impact students.
"The earlier that we can have those initial conversations and immerse our young people in options and the possible opportunities, the better," Owoh said.
It's an experience Owoh wished he had in middle school.
"I feel like I would have been better prepared if I had also started earlier," Owoh said. "I'm excited about this opportunity for our young people."
Parham said they're currently in the implementation phase and hiring staff to start working with students.
"Our plan in January [and] February is to go to all the districts and do a kickoff celebration," Parham said. "We're going to let them know, 'Hey, you're a GEAR UP scholar,' talk to the families about what that means and start the process."
By late winter or early spring, it should be up and running.
Although grant students are not required to enroll at UCA, Parham hopes they do when it comes time to choose a college.
Here's a complete list of the selected school districts in the program:
- Blytheville
- Brinkley
- Camden Fairview
- Clarendon
- Little Rock School District
- Pulaski County Special School District
- Helena/West Helena
- Jacksonville North Pulaski School District
- Lee County
- Marvel/Elaine
- Hope