GEER Up at Parkland College
Parkland College Announces New "GEER Up" Program
Parkland College announced a new tuition-assistance program, called GEER Up, which aims to expand access to Dual Enrollment classes for low-income, underrepresented, and/or first-generation high school students within District 505.
Funded by the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER), the program will support Parkland College’s efforts to serve new and existing students from underrepresented groups throughout the COVID-19 crisis and ensure that they are able to access and find success in Parkland career programs. GEER Up aims to help these students transition smoothly to higher education through academic support, access to academic advising, and financial literacy coaching.
GEER Up will assist current high school students interested in Dual Enrollment classes but unable to participate due to extenuating circumstances and increased financial restraints. For students interested in selective admissions Health Professions programs, GEER Up presents an opportunity to meet required prerequisite or placement criteria. The program will provide eligible students up to $2,500 in assistance for tuition, fees, and books/technology in an award package determined by the student’s program of choice.
“Part of our mission as a community college is to ensure that all members of our community have access to the tools for success, no matter what barriers there might be,” said Stephanie Stuart, Vice President for Communications and External Affairs. “We know that the financial burden of this pandemic has not impacted families equally, and that access to dual enrollment for low-income high school students has become much more limited. With GEER Up, we want to provide the opportunity for all students to get a head start on college and successfully transition into post-secondary education and training so they can achieve their dreams.”
As part of the program, students can enroll in one or more Parkland courses plus 3 credit hours of student support coursework including First Year Experience (FYE), which will help students transition from high school to college. The program will serve 100 total students for the Spring 2021 and Summer 2021 semesters.
Applications for the GEER Up program are due December 11. While all high school students may apply, first priority will be given to high school seniors. Applications will be accepted after December 11 based on space left in the program. Applications are available and submitted at parkland.edu/GEERUp. Courses begin in January. Academic advising is available to students immediately upon application.
For more information, please visit parkland.edu/GEERUp or contact the Early College Office at earlycollege@parkland.edu or 217/353-2663.