Equal access to a postsecondary education has been a long-standing concern among education policymakers, researchers, and advocates. Despite major federal investments aimed to improve postsecondary access for disadvantaged students, college enrollment, persistence, and completion rates remain lower for minority and low-income students than for their more advantaged peers. This random assignment study has the potential to develop important new scientific knowledge about one of the most venerable programs designed to assist disadvantaged students' post-secondary education opportunities. BPA has teamed with Abt Associates and Urban Institute to conduct an independent, five-year evaluation of the Upward Bound program to assess its effects in light of the program's increased focus on higher-risk students.