Thirteen Iowa school districts — including Des Moines and Marshalltown — have been selected as partners in applying for a GEAR UP grant to begin this fall, Iowa College Aid announced. GEAR UP is a federal program to increase college and career access and readiness for low-income, minority and first-generation students. If Iowa receives the grant, it will be the state’s third award. Two previous awards to the state included a $16.8 million matching grant to serve the high school class of 2014 in 17 districts; a second award was received for $22.4 million to serve the high school class of 2020 in 12 districts. “Studies of our first two grants show that GEAR UP Iowa students are more likely to apply to college, apply for financial aid, and to go to college than their non-GEAR UP peers,” said Mark Wiederspan, executive director of Iowa College Aid. “They also have higher standardized test scores and higher high school attendance rates. We’re optimistic about receiving a third grant and excited to extend these benefits to a new group of Iowa students.” Learn more about the federal program and about GEAR UP Iowa.