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OK GEAR UP

Noble High School · College & Career Planning

Oklahoma GEAR UP

Free college and career planning help for every Noble student — from picking classes and touring campuses to finishing the FAFSA and finding scholarships. GEAR UP experts are in our school every week, and their services never cost families a dime.

What Is GEAR UP? Services Your Roadmap 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 help students prepare for life after high school.

It's never too early to start planning for your future. The choices you make in junior high and high school can open doors after graduation — and planning ahead makes college admissions, financial aid, and career decisions a lot less stressful.

Freeevery GEAR UP service, for students and families
WeeklyGEAR UP college-prep experts are on campus
16,000Oklahoma students served each year
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.
  • 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/ACT testing — test prep and testing support.
  • One-on-one guidance — a college-prep expert in your corner, every week.

Your Roadmap, 9th Grade to Graduation

College and career readiness isn't one big senior-year scramble — it's small steps, every year. Here's the path GEAR UP helps you walk:

  1. 9th Grade — Build Your Foundation

    Grades count toward college admission and scholarships starting now. Get involved, explore careers with GEAR UP's career advising, and apply for Oklahoma's Promise if your family hasn't yet.

  2. 10th Grade — Start Exploring

    Take the PreACT to preview the ACT with no pressure, keep your GPA strong, and join a GEAR UP college visit — research says it takes three campus visits for a student to believe they can succeed there.

  3. 11th Grade — Get Serious

    Take the ACT, narrow your college list, and ask about concurrent enrollment so you can earn college credit as a senior. Start your scholarship search now — junior year is when the NHS Scholarship Guide becomes your best friend.

  4. 12th Grade — Apply and Finish Strong

    Apply during College App Week in September, file the FAFSA when it opens October 1, complete Oklahoma's Promise by December 31, and watch the Senior Google Classroom for local scholarships each spring. GEAR UP walks with you the whole way.

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:

WhenWhat
Sept. 21–25College App Week — free applications to participating Oklahoma colleges.
Oct. 1FAFSA opens — complete it early for the best financial aid opportunities.
Dec. 31Oklahoma'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:

Meet Your GEAR UP Team

GEAR UP college-prep experts are here to help. They're in our school 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 Schools

Lorri is Noble's on-campus GEAR UP expert for college planning, Oklahoma's Promise, FAFSA completion, and everything in between.

lwindom@osrhe.edu · 405-225-9427

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 Coach

Chelsea coaches students through college enrollment and that critical first step onto campus.

cspearman2@uco.edu · 405-974-2797

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

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. 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.