The resolution proposes an appropriation of $500,000 to Onward We Learn in support of the Rhode Island GEAR UP program. This program aims to enhance college access and success for students in the state. The Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner administers the GEAR UP grant from the U.S. Department of Education, collaborating with Onward We Learn to provide programming and scholarships to assist students, particularly those who are the first in their families to attend college.

Onward We Learn has shown success, with independent research indicating that participants are 48% more likely to earn a college degree compared to their peers. The program offers academic and career preparation, as well as scholarships of up to $4,500 per year for four years, applicable at any higher education institution in Rhode Island. Since its inception, the program has awarded over $55 million in scholarships to approximately 13,500 students, thereby alleviating the financial burden of higher education. The resolution emphasizes the importance of this funding as part of the state's commitment to supporting educational initiatives and meeting the matching requirements of the federal grant.