Oklahoma GEAR UP provides resources to school districts and offers comprehensive professional development services to Oklahoma teachers, counselors and administrators. Additionally, GEAR UP works to make sure Oklahoma seventh– 12th grade students and their parents have the information they need to prepare academically, socially and financially for college. This national initiative began in 1998 to encourage more American youth to have high expectations, stay in school, study hard and take the right courses to prepare for college. For many children, the likelihood of attending and succeeding in college is small. Too many students face seemingly insurmountable barriers, including low expectations, inadequate academic preparation and a lack of information about education options and financial aid opportunities. Since 1999 Oklahoma GEAR UP has targeted resources and services to priority students through partnerships among the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Oklahoma colleges and universities, public schools, community-based organizations and businesses.

The primary goal of GEAR UP is to ensure all students in Oklahoma are prepared to succeed in college. The GEAR UP program is built on two broad college access components: scholarship funding and early intervention initiatives.

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs – GEAR UP – is a federally funded program that helps prepare middle and high school students for college through academic preparation programs and scholarships for students, leadership training for parents, professional development activities for educators, and college access information for students and parents.