Montana GEAR UP: September 2025 Newsletter

Montana University System sent this bulletin at 09/30/2025 11:43 AM MDT

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CAW MEDIA COVERAGE

Check out the media coverage we received during College Applications Weeks!

Click here for the news story from KTVH about students using Apply Montana in Helena.

SHAREPOINT AFFILIATE ACCOUNTS

SharePoint Affiliate Accounts have been created for all coordinators. Login instructions were sent via secure email from Jared Smith on August 29th.

If you have questions regarding SharePoint, please contact Karen (KWilson@montana.edu).

New Items in SharePoint:

Misc. Arc of Events/FAFSA/Apply Montana/21st Century Scholarship information sheets (in School Shares with Each Other folder, sub folder favorite flyers).
Meal per diem rates and new mileage rates (Program Guides)
Enhancement Grant Q & A (Recordings and FAQs)

If other people would like access, please ask Karen Wilson, KWilson@montana.edu, who will process the request.

21st CENTURY SCHOLARS

Many of last year's graduates still have not claimed their 21st Century Scholar scholarships through Award Montana. If you are in contact with them, please encourage them to do so — we want every eligible student to benefit.

A friendly reminder to please send Madie any of last year's graduates who are attending out-of-state schools (if you have not already). We want to make sure we include them in our academic success packages and need your help to get them into their hands.

If you have questions regarding the 21st Century Scholarship or the Academic Success Packages for our first-year students, please contact Madie (MMoore@montana.edu).

STUDENT SUCCESS AGENCY FRONTLINE EDUCATOR APP

Student Success Agency (SSA) is currently developing a Frontline Educator App that will provide administrators, coordinators, and other school staff with access to your school’s SSA data whenever you need it.

This new feature is currently in beta testing and will be ready in a few months. School staff will receive training on the new app once it is released. The data available through the new app will take the place of monthly school usage reports that SSA had previously sent to school principals.

We are excited about this new feature and the increased access to your school’s SSA data that it will provide. Stay tuned for more details as the app release date gets closer.

LEADERSHIP TRAINING OPPORTUNITY

Montana GEAR UP partner, School Administrators of Montana (SAM) offers their Leaders Professional Learning Program (LPLP) for educators. This leadership opportunity “provides a unique and innovative approach to professional learning for Montana school leaders designed to be responsive to the challenges administrators face each day.” Registration for this professional development opportunity is now open.

As part of our collaboration with SAM, MTGU will cover a portion of the $750 cost for administrators/individuals interested in registering. Montana GEAR UP will contribute $500 towards the registration with a district responsibility of $250, which may be used as match.

Click here to learn more the program and register your school’s educators.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

PAST DUE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR DATA:

Beginning of the year data was due September 15. Reach out to Alex (ASutherland@montana.edu) to ensure your data was uploaded.

2025 GEAR UP FALL MEETING:

OCTOBER 6-7

The annual virtual Montana GEAR UP Fall Meeting has been scheduled. The meeting link and agenda were sent this morning.

GAMES FOR LEARNING GAINS MISSOULA TRAINING:

OCTOBER 9

WESTERN MONTANA SITE VISITS:

OCTOBER 13-15

If you have questions regarding your site visit, please contact Karen (KWilson@montana.edu).

GEAR UP WEST:

OCTOBER 26-28

GEAR UP staff may not be immediately available during this time.

CLASSROOM MINI GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE:

NOVEMBER 1, 2025

ANNUAL AWARD NOTIFICATION LETTERS

NOVEMBER 1, 2025

PENDING PROGRAM OFFICER APPROVAL

REQUEST FOR PHOTOS

First days, assemblies, sports…do you have photos of school events?

If the answer is yes, we want to share your pictures on our social media accounts.

The more we can show how #GEARUPworks, the more we can spread the word about the good work you’re all doing with students. We will also tag your school, so your followers can celebrate their students.

Please send your photos to Jake (JTroyer@montana.edu).

T-SHIRTS AND BANNERS

We have ordered your GEAR UP T-shirts and I Pledge banners. The FAFSA T-shirts are in the final development stages. All items will deliver directly to your high school shipping address.

If you have any questions about the Montana GEAR UP shirts, FAFSA t-shirts, or the I Pledge banners, please contact Jake (JTroyer@montana.edu).

Everyone on the state team can’t wait to see your students GEAR UP in their new shirts!

GEAR UP GOES TO COLLEGE

The new school year has started, which means GEAR UP Goes to College has returned to provide students with opportunities to speak with college educators and admission staff from different colleges across the country.

This year, we’re kicking off the program by going to Yale on October 22^nd from 12:15-1:00 MDT when we’ll hear more about the Bulldog admissions process. Yale provides significant support for Native students, including their Native American Cultural Center, STARS program for rural and small town students, and expanded course offerings to include more classes about Native American history and cultural studies.

If you have questions regarding GEAR UP Goes to College opportunities, please contact Madie (MMoore@montana.edu).

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