Education Trust Award

California GEAR UP offers financial support through EDUCATIONAL TRUST AWARDS for middle school students at participating GEAR UP schools.

The California GEAR UP Program has established Educational Trust Awards with Scholarshare for individual middle school students. Award recipients are nominated by GEAR UP schools to receive these awards. The purpose of the awards is to motivate students and their families in early secondary school to prepare academically for college and to provide $2,000 plus interest to defray the cost of college attendance at the relevant time. Students must enroll in college within one year after graduating from high school to access their awards.

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) administers the Educational Trust Awards, commonly known as “scholarships,” for GEAR UP. CSAC sends out the award notifications to the students, parents and their GEAR UP school. In addition, the office maintains yearly contact with the awardees. It is important for the student to call or email the CSAC about all changes of address so that CSAC can stay in contact from middle school through high school.

CSAC Telephone: toll free at (888) 224-7268 or direct (916) 526-7965
CSAC Email: Gear-Up@csac.ca.gov

CSAC Mailing Address:
California Student Aid Commission
Specialized Programs Unit - GEAR UP
P. O. Box 419029
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9029