Purdue University is shutting down a statewide program designed to help low-income students prepare for college after the Trump administration canceled a $34.9 million federal grant. The decision abruptly ends the GEAR UP initiative, which provided academic support and mentoring to more than 13,000 Indiana students.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Department of Education terminated a $34.9 million grant awarded to Purdue University for its GEAR UP program.
- The cancellation forces the immediate shutdown of the program, affecting over 13,000 low-income students across 10 Indiana school districts.
- Federal officials cited the university's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) related training and teaching methods as conflicting with federal policy.
- The program had a documented history of success, significantly boosting high school graduation and college enrollment rates for its participants.
Federal Grant Canceled Over DEI Concerns
The U.S. Department of Education formally terminated the grant in a letter dated September 12. The funding, which was first awarded in 2024, was expected to continue through 2031 and represented the sixth-largest federal grant in the university's history.
In its termination letter, the department stated that Purdue’s grant application was in conflict with federal civil rights law. It also cited a new departmental policy that prioritizes “merit, fairness, and excellence in education.”
Federal officials specifically pointed to sections of Purdue's application that included commitments to DEI training for hiring managers and professional development in “culturally responsive teaching.” The department described these elements as an “inappropriate use of federal funds” and said the program was “no longer in the best interest of the Federal Government.”
Shift in Federal Policy
The original 2024 grant application, under the Biden administration, required applicants to detail their DEI priorities in hiring and training. However, policy has since shifted. In February, the U.S. Department of Education directed schools and universities to stop using “race as a factor in admissions, financial aid, hiring, training, and other institutional programming.”
Purdue University had the option to appeal the decision but did not file one, according to sources familiar with the matter. The university did not provide a comment on the situation despite multiple requests.
Immediate Impact on Indiana Students and Schools
The GEAR UP program, which stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, will cease operations on Tuesday. The initiative provided critical resources, including after-school programs, mentoring, and college preparation services in 10 school districts across Indiana.
The now-canceled grant was slated to expand these services to approximately 14,300 students in 28 schools during the current academic year. The shutdown also affects program staff, including ten employees in the main office and 12 regional directors, whose employment status is now uncertain.
School districts that relied on the program are now scrambling to fill the void. Districts in Indianapolis, Gary, Lafayette, Muncie, and Clark County were all participants. In Marion County, the MSD of Warren Township Schools had over 700 students benefiting from the program across four schools.
A Proven Program with High Success Rates
Indiana's GEAR UP program, which started in 2016, has a strong track record of improving student outcomes. The program followed students from seventh grade through their first year of college, offering continuous support.
Impressive Graduation Rates
According to a 2024 press release from Purdue, about 97% of students participating in GEAR UP graduated from high school. This is significantly higher than the statewide high school graduation rate of 87% for low-income students.
Participants also enrolled in college at higher rates than their peers in comparison groups. A major focus of the program was supporting students in the 21st Century Scholars program, which provides tuition assistance to eligible low-income families in Indiana.
To remain eligible for the scholarship, students must maintain a 2.5 GPA, earn a specific high school diploma, and avoid trouble with the law. GEAR UP provided the structured academic support many needed to meet these requirements.
National Context and Policy Shift
The cancellation of Indiana's grant is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader federal campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in education. According to Education Week, the Department of Education has canceled at least nine GEAR UP grants nationwide this year, including four in Ohio and one in New Hampshire.
This action in Indiana reflects a new direction under the Trump administration. The move is also aligned with recent state-level changes. In January, Indiana Governor Mike Braun issued an order for all state agencies to dismantle their DEI initiatives.
The situation is a notable reversal from just two months ago, when U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Purdue’s campus. During her visit with Governor Braun, she praised the state, saying Indiana was doing “exactly what the President’s goals are,” according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Local Districts React to Abrupt Shutdown
School officials expressed their disappointment and concern over the sudden loss of the program and its resources.
“Without GEAR UP, our students will miss out on critical access to postsecondary exploration, structured academic support, and individualized connections that kept their college and career pathways front and center,” said Laura Butgereit, director of college and career readiness for MSD of Warren Township.
Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), another district that participated, also released a statement about the unexpected termination.
The IPS statement noted the district was “surprised by the sudden and early conclusion” of the program. It continued, “The program has successfully prepared students for college and careers, provided financial aid guidance, and expanded STEM exposure.”
While Indiana's program is ending, other GEAR UP initiatives continue to operate in other parts of the country. The Department of Education announced its latest round of grant awards to other states just last week.