Flickr user US Department of Education
The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are a selection of eight programs that are “designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.” Talent Search (TS) is one program. It offers counseling to students that can help them pursue higher education. Here’s a rundown of TRIO, how Talent Search can assist eligible students, and how students and their parents can apply to a TS program in their area.
What is TRIO?
TRIO, officially known as the Federal TRIO Programs, is a collection of eight separate programs that are “targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post baccalaureate programs.”
The eight programs that currently make up TRIO are:
- Educational Opportunity Centers
- Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement
- Student Support Services
- Talent Search
- Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs Staff
- Upward Bound
- Upward Bound Math-Science
- Veterans Upward Bound
What is the TRIO Talent Search Program?
The Talent Search Program, also simply known as TS, is a program that assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds that show potential with a goal of increasing the number enrolling in and completing higher education. Projects can include tutoring services, career exploration, workshops, and counseling, among others. The program can offer a number of beneficial services to participating students and their parents such as:
- Academic, financial, career, or personal counseling
- Advice on entry or re-entry to higher education
- Tutoring and mentoring
- Aptitude assessment
- College exploration
- Information and assistance on finances, college applications, financial aid applications, and entrance exams
- Workshops and activities for parents and younger students
- Assistance with fee waivers
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) assistance
- Summer camp activities
- Scholarship assistance
The program is offered through institutions of higher learning as well as agencies, organizations, and community-based organizations that have worked with disadvantaged youth. Individual programs may have different services.
Services through TRIO are free, but they require students to participate in any program sponsored activities and parents may also have to participate in family workshops.
Who is Eligible for the Talent Search Program?
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds include those with learning disabilities, those from low-income households, homeless students, students in foster care, students who struggle with English as a second language, and more. Participants must be between 11 and 27. In any specific project, a majority of participants must be those that are considered low income or will potentially be first generation college students.
Individual organizations may have their own eligibility requirements for their participants.
For example, the Pensacola State College in Florida has the TRIO Educational Talent Search (ETS) for students in participating local middle and high schools. They recruit during the fall and spring of every year, but students can also reach out to the college individually to receive an application or find an application online.
In order to apply to Pensacola State College’s ETS program, students must
- Be a United States Citizen or permanent resident
- Have a 2.0 GPA or higher
- Demonstrate a need
- Have the potential to pursue higher education
- Participate in the program’s lessons and activities
How Can Students Apply For a Local Talent Search Program?
Students should find a local Talent Search program by talking to their guidance counselor or researching nearby colleges online. Both the student and the parent will likely need to apply in order for the student to be considered.
Depending on the program, the parent may need to complete an ETS application and provide proof of the family income (through taxes or proof of untaxed income).
Once accepted to the program, students may have to:
- Meet the program’s academic standards
- Meet with a program specialist or counselor regularly
- Submit college applications
- Participate in activities
- Complete the FAFSA with a counselor
- Enroll in a college, university, vocational school, or certificate training program after high school graduation
- And more
The TRIO Talent Search Program can be a great way for students to truly explore their options when it comes to higher education if they come from a disadvantaged background. Their resources are designed to fit the unique needs of these groups while increasing their chances of getting accepted to an institution of higher education and earning their high school diploma and college degree. Students should talk to their guidance counselor or reach out to local community colleges to learn more about participating organizations in their region.
If you’ve been accepted to a Talent Search program, it’s important to keep on top of your responsibilities. College Match from College Raptor can help you identify the colleges you should apply to during your senior year of high school. It’s completely free, and you can learn valuable information about financial aid, cost, scholarships, acceptance chances, standardized test scores, and more.
