OK GEAR UP
Noble Public Schools · College & Career Planning
Oklahoma GEAR UP
Free college and career planning help for Noble students in grades 7–12 — from picking classes and touring campuses to finishing the FAFSA and finding scholarships. GEAR UP experts are in our schools every week, and their services never cost families a dime.
What Is GEAR UP?
Services
Milestones by Grade
Seniors & Key Dates
Scholarships
Paying for College
Meet the Team
For Staff
What Is GEAR UP?
GEAR UP — Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs — is a federally funded program administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Through a partnership with Noble Public Schools, Oklahoma GEAR UP provides free college and career planning resources to students in grades 7 through 12 to help them prepare for life after high school.
Oklahoma GEAR UP's mission: to increase academic achievement, strengthen college-going culture, and empower students and their families to pursue and succeed in postsecondary education.
It starts in junior high. GEAR UP works with students at Curtis Inge Middle School beginning in 7th grade and stays with them through graduation at Noble High School — and College Success Coaches keep working with Noble graduates through their first year of college.
Freeevery GEAR UP service, for students and families
Grades 7–12plus first-year college support after graduation
15,800+Oklahoma students served by the current grant
13partner districts statewide — including Noble
What GEAR UP Can Help You With
GEAR UP staff work with students one-on-one and in groups, all year long. Here's what they offer at Noble:
- Oklahoma's Promise & FAFSA completion assistance — step-by-step help with the two biggest ways to pay for college.
- College application assistance — applications, essays, and deadlines, without the guesswork.
- Concurrent enrollment support — earn college credit while you're still at NHS; GEAR UP pays approved fees for eligible juniors and seniors.
- College visits — tour campuses and picture yourself there.
- Connect U college enrollment events — hands-on help for seniors making the jump to college.
- Career advising — explore careers and map the education they take.
- PreACT 8/9, PreACT, and ACT — testing during the school day, plus help reading your scores.
- College and career fairs — meet college reps and local employers in one room.
- One-on-one guidance — a college-prep expert in your corner, every week.
Career Advising Milestones, 7th Grade to College
College and career readiness isn't one big senior-year scramble — it's a set of milestones at every grade level. These are Oklahoma GEAR UP's official Career Advising Milestones. Find your grade and see what's ahead.
7th Grade A first campus visit, a career fair, and an introduction to GEAR UP
- Participate in a college campus visit.
- Attend a GEAR UP-hosted classroom presentation introducing college and career opportunities and the services provided by Oklahoma GEAR UP.
- Participate in a college and career fair.
8th Grade YouScience results, career clusters, and Oklahoma's Promise
- Complete the YouScience middle school interest inventory and aptitude assessment.
- Review and discuss YouScience results with an Oklahoma GEAR UP site director and explore potential career clusters.
- Participate in a college campus visit.
- Attend a GEAR UP-hosted classroom presentation focused on exploring college and career opportunities.
- Participate in a college and career fair.
- Attend Oklahoma's Promise events for students and families to learn about scholarship eligibility and college funding opportunities.
- Receive individual assistance from Oklahoma GEAR UP staff to complete the Oklahoma's Promise application.
Optional
- Take the PreACT 8/9 and review results with the assistance of an Oklahoma GEAR UP site director.
9th Grade Strengths and interests, college and career pathways
- Identify and discuss academic strengths, weaknesses, aptitudes, and interests.
- Attend a GEAR UP-hosted classroom presentation focused on identifying college and career pathways based on interests and aptitudes.
- Attend Oklahoma's Promise events for students and families to learn about scholarship eligibility and college funding opportunities if the application has not yet been completed.
- Receive individual assistance from Oklahoma GEAR UP staff to complete the Oklahoma's Promise application.
Optional
- Take the PreACT 8/9, if not completed in 8th grade, and review results with an Oklahoma GEAR UP site director.
10th Grade The PreACT (required) and planning for concurrent enrollment
- Take the PreACT and interest inventory provided by the Oklahoma State Regents (mandatory).
- Review and discuss PreACT results with the assistance of an Oklahoma GEAR UP site director.
- Attend a GEAR UP-hosted classroom presentation focused on selecting a field of study based on career interests and earning college credit through concurrent enrollment.
- Attend a meeting for students and families planning to participate in concurrent enrollment the following semester to review Oklahoma GEAR UP requirements.
- Receive individual assistance from Oklahoma GEAR UP staff to complete the Oklahoma's Promise application if it has not yet been completed.
11th Grade The ACT, paying for college, and department-level campus visits
- Take the Oklahoma GEAR UP-provided ACT during the fall semester.
- Review and discuss ACT results with the assistance of an Oklahoma GEAR UP site director.
- Attend a GEAR UP-hosted classroom presentation focused on paying for college.
- Participate in small-group college campus visits targeting academic departments aligned with career interests.
- Attend a meeting for students and families planning to participate in concurrent enrollment the following semester to review Oklahoma GEAR UP requirements.
- Receive individual assistance from Oklahoma GEAR UP staff to complete the Oklahoma's Promise application if it has not yet been completed.
12th Grade College applications, the FAFSA, Connect U, and orientation
- Attend a GEAR UP-hosted classroom presentation focused on college admissions processes and campus resources.
- Participate in small-group college campus visits targeting academic departments aligned with career interests.
- Receive assistance from Oklahoma GEAR UP staff to complete college applications during College Application Week.
- Attend a FAFSA event for students and families.
- Receive individual assistance from Oklahoma GEAR UP staff to complete the FAFSA.
- Attend Connect U, a college enrollment event hosted by an Oklahoma GEAR UP college coach, to complete placement testing, obtain student identification, review class schedules, and finalize housing contracts.
- Register for summer orientation at the selected college or university and receive Oklahoma GEAR UP funding assistance for orientation fees.
College Freshman Year GEAR UP College Success Coaches keep working with Noble graduates
- Participate in one-on-one coaching sessions to support success during the first year of college.
- Declare a major by the end of the freshman year with guidance from an Oklahoma GEAR UP College Success Coach.
- Complete the FAFSA for the following academic year with assistance from an Oklahoma GEAR UP College Success Coach.
- Apply for scholarships—including institutional, departmental, and external opportunities—for the following academic year.
- Enroll for the second year of college.
Milestones are from Oklahoma GEAR UP's 2026-27 Career Advising Milestones. The full booklet — program goals, objectives, and services — is in the download row near the bottom of this page.
Seniors & Parents: This Year's Big Dates
GEAR UP walks the Class of 2027 through every step of the transition from high school to college and careers. Mark these dates now:
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Sept. 21–25 | College App Week — free applications to participating Oklahoma colleges. |
| Oct. 1 | FAFSA opens — complete it early for the best financial aid opportunities. |
| Dec. 31 | Oklahoma's Promise deadline — seniors must complete their application by the end of the year. GEAR UP provides completion support. |
Not a senior yet? Don't wait on Oklahoma's Promise. Students can apply in 8th through 12th grade — the final deadline is December 31 of the senior year, but applying early gets it off your plate. Household income at the time you apply can't exceed $60,000 (1–2 dependent children), $70,000 (3–4), or $80,000 (5 or more). Details and the application are on the Oklahoma's Promise website — and GEAR UP can help you complete it.
Seniors also get these supports through GEAR UP:
- Senior presentations — graduation requirements, college planning, scholarships, FSA-ID/FAFSA completion, and next steps.
- Concurrent enrollment fee reimbursement — assistance with approved concurrent enrollment fees.
- College orientation reimbursement — Camp Cowboy, Camp Crimson, New Broncho Experience, SOAR, and more.
- College tours — visit campuses and explore your college options.
Finding Scholarships
Every scholarship you earn is money you don't have to borrow. Start early, apply often — and remember these quick tips: track your deadlines, reuse and customize your essays, ask for recommendation letters early, and stack multiple awards.
Never Pay to Apply
Legitimate scholarships are always free to apply for. If a website or "service" asks for money to submit an application or find awards for you, it's a red flag — ask your counselor or the GEAR UP team before you pay anyone anything.
Oklahoma scholarships Oklahoma's Promise, OKCollegeStart, and state foundations
Oklahoma's Promise can mean free tuition at Oklahoma public colleges and universities — and many colleges add scholarships for Oklahoma's Promise students covering fees, dorms, and meals. You can apply as early as 8th grade; the final deadline is December 31 of your senior year.
Also explore OKCollegeStart, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, and the Tulsa Community Foundation.
Local scholarships Best odds — awards just for Noble students
Local awards are specific to Noble High School students, so the applicant pool is small and your odds are best. They become available each spring, are sent out by Noble counselors, and are posted in the Senior Google Classroom.
Campus-specific scholarships Every college offers scholarships
Once you know where you're applying, look for that college's foundation/endowed scholarships (donor funded), incoming freshman awards (GPA, ACT/SAT), merit scholarships (achievement-based, not need-based), need-based aid, departmental/major scholarships, and honors college awards (these generally require a high GPA, ACT/SAT scores, an essay, and an interview).
Native American students Tribal scholarships and college funding
Many tribes offer scholarships and college funding. Contact your tribe's Education Department, and apply early.
National scholarship websites Big databases with awards for almost everything
Try Going Merry, ScholarshipOwl, Fastweb, BigFuture Scholarships, and Niche. There's a scholarship for almost everything — academics, community service, leadership, athletics, career interests, financial need, and even unique or unusual interests.
For Parents: Paying for College
Parents, you're a bigger part of this than you might think — the FAFSA needs information from you, and a parent has to create their own account to sign it. These are the places to start:
- Federal Student Aid — create FSA IDs (student and parent each need one) and file the FAFSA — it opens October 1.
- Oklahoma's Promise — Oklahoma's free-tuition scholarship; apply in grades 8–12, income limits apply.
- OKCollegeStart — Oklahoma's official college planning site: course requirements, deadlines, and financial tips.
- Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan — tax-advantaged college savings; it's never too late to start.
- Oklahoma College Assistance Program — guidance on saving for, planning for, and paying for college.
Meet Your GEAR UP Team
GEAR UP college-prep experts are here to help. They're in our schools each week and ready to help students prepare for the future — reach out any time.
Lorri Windom, M.H.R.
Oklahoma GEAR UP Site Director · Noble Public SchoolsLorri is Noble's on-campus GEAR UP expert for college planning, Oklahoma's Promise, FAFSA completion, and everything in between.
More about Lorri
Lorri studied at Oklahoma Christian, Texas Tech, USAO, and OU. "The thing I enjoy most about my job is helping students see and plan their futures. I also find it rewarding to help students complete their Oklahoma's Promise and their FAFSA. Each year, so much money is left unclaimed that could help families afford college." Outside of work, you'll find her with family, at the beach, and in the garden.
Chelsea Spearman
College Success CoachChelsea coaches students through college enrollment and that critical first step onto campus — and keeps working with Noble graduates through their freshman year.
For NHS Staff
GEAR UP staff are on campus every week and are a resource for you, too. They can present in your classroom, support PreACT/ACT testing days, and help coordinate college visits — and if you have a student who needs one-on-one college or career guidance, send them Lorri's way at lwindom@osrhe.edu.
Flyers to Download & Share
Goals, Objectives & Milestones (PDF)
About GEAR UP (PDF)
Senior & Parent Handout (PDF)
NHS Scholarship Guide (PDF)
Meet Lorri Windom (PDF)
It's Never Too Early to Start Planning
Explore Oklahoma GEAR UP, check your Oklahoma's Promise status, or start your college search at OKCollegeStart. Junior high families: GEAR UP is at Curtis Inge Middle School, too, starting in 7th grade.
Questions? Contact Lorri Windom at lwindom@osrhe.edu or 405-225-9427, or call the GEAR UP student hotline at 800-858-1840.
GEAR UP services are contingent upon the availability of funds from the federal government.