Since 1965 the federal government has attempted to provide low socioeconomic status students with equal access to postsecondary education through the Higher Education Act and its multiplicative programmatic efforts. Implemented as one such program in 1998, the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, or GEAR UP, has been increasing high school graduation and college matriculation rates. Despite demonstrable statistical gains for low SES students, GEAR UP is still plagued by complications like the application process, implementation, scale, sustainability, and program redundancy. However, the creation of an application addendum, increased funding, additional research, inclusion as a Safe Harbor identifier, incorporation into daily activities, making universities stakeholders, and automatic applications for financial aid are recommendations to improve program effectiveness and efficiency that are discussed in greater detail. (Contains 1 figure.)