Click here to register today!

Come ready to participate! Discussion Labs are an opportunity to share, learn, and problem-solve together.

The beginning of the school year is full of energy, excitement, and possibility - and it’s a great time to kick off family engagement with your best foot forward! Join us to brainstorm ways to partner with schools to incorporate GEAR UP into events and early outreach strategies to start engaging with families.

NCCEP’s Family Engagement Advisory Committee will…

Apply Today!

NCCEP committees include a diverse group of volunteer members who help engage the community, share their expertise for professional development, and offer input to NCCEP on programs and services. 

Most committees meet monthly via Zoom. Committee members contribute 1 – 2 hours per month over a 2-year term, from October 1 to September 30.

Click here to learn more!

The 2026–27 FAFSA form is on track to launch October 1, 2025, with improvements to make the process faster and easier for students and families. 

Two Game-Changing Features 

• Instant ID Checks (August): Students with a Social Security Number will be verified instantly—no more waiting days. This means faster IRS tax data access and smoother applications. 

• Easy Contributor Invites: Students can invite a parent or spouse by entering their email. A unique code will be sent directly—no…

Last Chance to Join Fall Learning Labs -  Apply by August 25!

Take advantage of the opportunity to connect with your GEAR UP peers nationally in one of NCCEP’s Learning Labs. Join a fall three-month session starting September 8!  

• College Advising Learning Lab. Led in collaboration with Bottom Line, participants practice college advising strategies including identifying fit factors, making college lists, completing applications for college and financial aid, and deciding which college to…

National GEAR UP Week Planning Session

Click here to register today!

On Thursday, August 24, 2025, at 12 noon ET join us for a deeper look at 2025 National GEAR UP Week: Planting Seeds, Growing a Nation. We’ll reflect on the meaning behind this year’s theme and share ways to make your celebration impactful and inspiring.

This webinar builds on the presentation from the 2025 NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference and will offer practical tools, ideas, and guidance from NCCEP and the Communications…

To our incredible GEAR UP community,

On behalf of our team, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you for joining us at the 2025 NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference. Your dedication, passion, and commitment to creating brighter futures for students across the nation were evident throughout every session, conversation, and collaboration.

This year’s conference was more than just a gathering—it was a powerful reminder of the impact we make when we come together with a shared purpose. Whether you…

See you next week!

We look forward to connecting next week in San Francisco, California, for the NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference. As you get ready to attend, be sure to: 

• Download the conference app
• If you’re presenting, bring any adapters for HDMI connections
• Get ready for the Roll Call of the GEAR UP States! 

Join the celebration by clicking here to register and attend!

Questions? Email us at events@edpartnerships.org 

Taking place in San Francisco from Sunday, July 13, to Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

The NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference is the national convening of professionals, parents, students, policymakers, and community partners who support GEAR UP programs and the students they serve. You can now book your hotel room, review the Conference At-A-Glance, and check out our frequently asked questions to get a head start.

Click here to learn more and register today!