Grant program GEAR UP Iowa will hold two events this week at local schools to raise awareness for the program’s mission.

GEAR UP is a multiyear statewide grant that is being used to provide early awareness programming to Iowa students and families on the importance of a college education, and is targeting sophomores at high schools around the state. The Iowa College Student Aid Commission is the administrator of a $16.8 million, six-year scholarship fund for GEAR UP.

An event on Wednesday will be held at 9:30 a.m. at Perry High School, 1200 18th St. An event on Thursday will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Des Moines East High School, 815 E. 13th St.