Wichita State University’s Kansas Kids @ GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a college access program that is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Education designed to help students in foster care prepare for post-secondary education.

KKGU offers a variety of free services to participants that help them gear up for a postsecondary education. Services include college exploration and visits, academic skill building, career exploration, mentoring, life skill building, ACT / SAT workshops, financial literacy, financial aid workshops, program orientation, scholarship opportunities, summer programs, educational field trips, recognition ceremonies for students and teachers, college portfolio preparation and quarterly newsletters.