GEAR UP Scholarship

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Program Description
Program Eligibility
How to Apply
Changes to Student Information
Awards and Payment
FAQS
Processing Updates

Anticipated to be available in 2026-27 academic year, the Gear Up Scholarship helps eligible students who participated in an Illinois GEAR UP program during high school pay for college at approved Illinois colleges and universities.

The scholarship can be used to help pay for tuition, fees, books, supplies, required equipment, and other approved educational expenses during the regular academic year.

Program Eligibility

This scholarship is only open to GEAR UP program participants. Students are identified for the GEAR UP Scholarship based on their participation in an Illinois GEAR UP program during high school. To be considered for the scholarship, you must have participated in your GEAR UP program for your entire senior year of high school or for at least 50% of the program's duration.

To be eligible, you must also:

  • graduate from high school with a diploma or equivalent
  • complete the FAFSA® or, if eligible, the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
  • be younger than age 22 when you first use GEAR UP Scholarship funds
  • be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an undergraduate program at a MAP-approved Illinois college or university.

How to Apply

There is no separate ISAC application for the GEAR UP Scholarship.

At the end of the school year, GEAR UP Coordinators submit the information for students who meet the GEAR UP participation requirements to ISAC. ISAC reviews the information to determine scholarship eligibility and will notify eligible students about their scholarship and the next steps for using their award.

If you have not already done so, complete the FAFSA or, if eligible, the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.

Changes to Student Information

Keep your contact information and college plans up to date so ISAC can contact you about your scholarship.

If your contact information or college enrollment plans change after your GEAR UP Coordinator submits your information to ISAC, notify ISAC as soon as possible. You should also contact ISAC if you are unsure whether you provided any of the required information to your GEAR UP Coordinator or if you need to update any of the following:

  • Name
  • Home address
  • Telephone number
  • Personal email address (an email account you check regularly, not a high school or college email address)
  • College or university you plan to attend
  • Changes to your enrollment plans, including delaying enrollment or transferring to another eligible Illinois college or university

Updates should be emailed to ISAC at [email protected] with the subject line “GEAR UP Scholarship.”

Awards and Payment

Scholarship amounts vary each year based on available funding and the number of eligible students. ISAC will notify eligible students of their scholarship amount. The scholarship may only be used during fall and spring terms and is not available for summer terms.

How the Scholarship is Paid

If you are awarded a GEAR UP Scholarship, you will receive a lifetime scholarship amount. This is the total amount available for you to use through the program. You have up to six years after graduating from high school to use your scholarship. However, you must use your scholarship for the first time before you turn 22 years old.

Your lifetime scholarship is generally divided into two annual awards:

  • Most students receive approximately half of their scholarship during their first year of college.
  • The remaining amount is available during a second or later year.

In limited situations, such as completing a one-year academic program, your college's financial aid office may request approval for you to receive your full scholarship during one academic year. If you believe this applies to you, contact your financial aid office.

Delaying College

If you choose not to enroll in college immediately after high school, you may still be able to use your scholarship later.

If you delay enrollment, contact ISAC before you plan to begin school so we can help you access your scholarship.

How to Receive Your Scholarship

You will not receive funds directly from ISAC. Your college's financial aid office requests payment from ISAC. Once the request is approved, ISAC submits the payment through the State of Illinois payment process.

Payments may take several weeks or longer. Fall payments generally begin no earlier than September, and spring payments generally begin no earlier than February.

Some colleges may require you to make payment arrangements until scholarship funds are received. Contact your college's financial aid office or business office to learn about its payment policies.

Depending on the college, students may be responsible for payment until program funds are received. Qualified applicants who are awaiting receipt of funds from this program should contact the Financial Aid Office or Business Office to determine the college's policy.

FAQS

Can I attend part-time?

Yes. You may use this scholarship while attending college either part-time or full-time.

Do I have to be enrolled in a specific program or field of study?

No. The GEAR UP Scholarship does not require you to enroll in a specific program or field of study.

Can I use the scholarship in the summer?

No. The scholarship may only be used during the regular academic year (fall and spring terms).

What if I wait a year before starting college?

You have up to six years after graduating from high school to use your scholarship. However, you must use it for the first time before turning 22 years old. If you decide to delay enrollment, contact ISAC before you begin college.

What if I transfer schools?

If you still have scholarship funds available, contact ISAC before transferring to another eligible Illinois college or university. ISAC will work with your new school so you can continue using your scholarship.

What if I don't use all my scholarship during my first year?

Any unused scholarship funds remain available for future academic years, as long as you use them within six years after graduating from high school.

What expenses can the scholarship pay for?

The scholarship may be used to help pay for tuition, fees, books, supplies, required equipment, and other approved educational expenses. Contact your college's financial aid office to learn which educational expenses may be covered.

Can I receive the full scholarship in one year?

Possibly. In limited situations, such as completing a one-year academic program, your college's financial aid office may request approval for you to receive your full scholarship during one academic year. Contact your financial aid office if you believe this applies to you.

Processing Updates

This section is updated as new information becomes available. Check back periodically for the latest processing status.

For the 2026-27 Academic Year

(last updated on July 2, 2026)

ISAC has received student information from GEAR UP Coordinators and is reviewing eligibility for the 2026-27 GEAR UP Scholarship.