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GEAR UP

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federally-funded, statewide grant in Wyoming that provides services to 2,000 seventh grade through college freshman, income-eligible students each year. The goal of GEAR UP Wyoming is to provide academic support to increase the number of students who graduate from high school and are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Free services are provided to students and parents by GEAR UP staff located at all Wyoming community colleges. Services include:

  • Academic Suppport/Tutoring
  • Student/Parent Workshops
  • Career/College Preparation
  • ACT Preparations
  • Support Services for first year college students in Wyoming
  • College Visits
  • Financial Aid Application Assistance
  • College/Scholarship Application Assistance 

GEAR UP Wyoming is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education totaling $3,430,000 annually with an additional $3,430,000 annually provided by in-kind and scholarship contributions. 

GEAR UP Application

GEAR UP Scholarship Application

Checklist for Scholarships

UW GEAR UP Student Education Opportunity

  • ACT Test Prep: is program designed exclusively by ACT test development professionals with practice questions from the ACT test
  • ACT Aspire Test: is based on grade levels 3-10. In addition to preparing students for the ACT, Aspire aims to track student growth over time. 

 Tips

  • Beginning your freshman year start keeping a record of "Activities and Awards." The record should include all school and community activities, leadership positions, honors, unique educational experiences, employment, and volunteer work. This information will be very helpful for honors on college and scholarship applications so make sure to update the information yearly.
  • Once you’ve identified a college that you’d like to investigate further, call the admissions office and ask to be placed on their mailing list.
    At many colleges, freshmen are required to take a math placement test before they register for classes. Students who haven’t taken math as a senior are much more likely to have difficulty with this test

 Get a Jump Start on College Classes

Concurrent/Dual Enrollment is a way for you to earn high school and college credit at the same time. Central Wyoming College and Fremont County high schools offer concurrent/dual enrollment opportunities. The programs enable students to earn free college credits, save money, and eliminate the need to complete comparable courses at both educational levels. Concurrent enrollment courses are taught by college-approved high school teachers at the high school while dual enrollment courses are college courses taught by college instructors.
For More Information:

Please contact The CWC Board of Cooperative Higher Educational Services (BOCHES) office at 855-2039 or toll free at 800-735-8418, ext. 2039. Requirements:

  • Student must be 15 years old (younger students may be admitted upon petition)
  • Submit a CWC APPLICATION
  • Submit English and Math placement scores using: COMPASS, ACT, SAT

 Senior Year Timeline

SEPTEMBER

 Research colleges of interest for application and scholarship deadlines/admission requirements; Ask for letters of recommendation

OCTOBER

 Write personal essays; Volunteer opportunities, Complete FAFSA - Deadlines vary by state

NOVEMBER

 Have your personal essays proofed; Apply to colleges

DECEMBER

 Compare colleges; Continue applying to colleges; Scholarship searches; Volunteer opportunities; College visits

JANUARY

 College application deadlines; Financial aid workshops; Narrow down college lists; Scholarship deadlines

FEBRUARY

 Contact colleges regarding applications; Research housing options; Scholarship applications - KEEP APPLYING!

MARCH

 CWC Scholarship priority deadline; College visits; Narrow down college lists

APRIL

 Make final decision on college choice/notify that college; Decline others; Accept scholarships; Plan for college registration, orientation, and housing

MAY

 Write thank you notes for scholarships and to anyone who has helped you with your college process; Check on housing applications; Study for finals; GRADUATION!!

JUNE

 Send final high school transcripts to college; Attend New Student Orientation/Registration; Confirm  with Financial Aid Office on all awards and federal grants/loans; Obtain college account information

JULY

 Contact future roommates; Get supplies for college; Gather financial/insurance and essential identification information

AUGUST

 Confirm dates: New Student Orientation, Housing, and Classes; Pack for college; Move to college; Get involved!

College Entrance Information


The ACT Test is a curriculum and standards-based educational and career planning tool that assesses students' academic readiness for college. It is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The ACT Plus Writing includes the four subject area tests plus a Writing Test. ACT results are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the United States.
 

The SAT is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. The SAT is owned, published, and developed by the College Board, a nonprofit organization in the United States. The test is intended to assess a student's readiness for college.
 

The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a program cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT®. It also gives you a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools.

  • Hathaway Scholarships are designed to provide an incentive for Wyoming students to prepare for and pursue post-secondary education within the State of Wyoming.
  • Fastweb is an online scholarship matching service and college search service.
  • Scholarships.com is a scholarship search service with results tailored to you. It simplifies your search by showing you a customized list of opportunities with only the scholarships you are eligible to apply for.
  • Daniels Fund 


Wyoming Colleges Financial Aid/Scholarship Links