The United States Department of Education awarded a Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grant to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). GEAR UP, a seven-year discretionary grant program, aims to increase the number of low-income, first generation students enrolling and succeeding in college. THEC's successful GEAR UP TN proposal provides direct services to a cohort of students, the Class of 2018, beginning in the 7th grade and continuing through the cohort's first year of postsecondary education. GEAR UP TN also provides services to students in the senior class of participating high schools each grant year.