NCCEP, or the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships, is a leading brand dedicated to improving the college and career readiness of low-income students across the United States. They achieve this through their flagship initiative called GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs). GEAR UP is a highly competitive grant program that forms local partnerships among K-12 schools, higher education institutions, state agencies, and community organizations.

These partnerships work together to accomplish three key goals: increasing students' postsecondary expectations and readiness, improving high school graduation and college enrollment rates, and enhancing students' understanding of postsecondary options, preparation, and financing. GEAR UP provides a wide range of services tailored to the unique needs of each community, including professional development for educators, quality improvement of secondary school courses, mentoring, tutoring, scholarships, college and career planning, and parental engagement programs. The success of GEAR UP lies in its community-based strategies that empower local leaders to create comprehensive pathways to college and career success.

By engaging students early and leveraging local resources, GEAR UP ensures a sustained impact on schools and maximizes the return on federal investment. Despite its effectiveness, GEAR UP remains highly competitive due to limited funding availability. Overall, NCCEP's brand and GEAR UP initiative play a vital role in equipping low-income students with the necessary tools and support to succeed in higher education and beyond