GEAR UP stands for "Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs "and is a national college access initiative that is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. This discretionary grant program is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. GEAR UP provides six-year or seven-year grants to states and partnerships to provide services at high-poverty middle and high schools. GEAR UP grants serve an entire cohort of students beginning no later than the seventh grade and follow the cohort through high school. GEAR UP NC, the state grant for North Carolina, is administered by the University of North Carolina System Office. As the state grantee, GEAR UP NC works with partners to increase access to postsecondary education and disseminates information that promotes the importance of obtaining a high-quality credential or degree.

GEAR UP NC, the state grant for North Carolina, is administered by the University of North Carolina System Office. As the state grantee, GEAR UP NC works with partners to increase access to postsecondary education and disseminates information that promotes the importance of obtaining a high-quality credential or degree.