GearUp program helps Illinois high school students’ further careers

VIENNA, Ill. (KBSI) – A program is helping Illinois high school students transition and remove barriers when it comes to college.

Vienna High School’s participation in the Illinois GEAR UP program provided members of the Class of 2026 with significant financial support as they continue their education.

 Vienna schools Superintendent Joshua Stafford says programs like GEAR UP help student’s development a plan for after high school and is designed to help Illinois students continue their educations in Illinois and find career paths of their choice regardless of financial need.

“Our Gear Up Coordinator is Laura Hosfeldt. She does an excellent job of making sure that students are prepared for their future, taking them on college visits, making sure they have letters of recommendation, ensuring that transcripts get set, helping them explore careers, and making sure that they don’t just have a future college plan, but that they also are connected to a meaningful career plan before they graduate high school” says Stafford.

 The program represents around $300,000 dollars to go towards Vienna high school students’ tuition, with $5,952 going towards each student whether it be a university or a trade school Hosfeldt says as long as the college is an accredited school in Illinois the money is sent to the school for the student.

 “Recent highlights, through GearUp, has been that Gear Up was able to provide nearly $6,000 to each member in the class of 2026″ says Stafford. “Awards go towards their college tuition. So that will be $3,000, nearly a $3,000 their freshman year of college, and then an additional $3,000 their sophomore year of college if they’re attending an Illinois college or university.”