Talent Search is a free college access program funded by the U.S. Department of Education and is offered to 6th-12th grade students in the following school districts: Hinton, Le Mars, Lawton-Bronson, River Valley, MVAOCOU, MMCRU, OABCIG, Denison, AR-WE-VA, Westwood, Whiting, West Monona, Cherokee, Boyer Valley, IKMM and Sgt. Bluff. Students meet with a Talent Search Educational Coordinator each month to complete academic sessions with topics including: 

  • Academic advising
  • Career search and exploration
  • Financial aid assistance
  • Individual mentoring
  • Tutoring services
  • Test prep
  • Social skills

Eligibility Requirements

To participate in the Talent Search Program, students must meet the following criteria: 

  • Enrolled in the 6th-12th grade at one of our service schools. Eighth grade students may apply during the spring semester before prior their freshman year of high school.
  • Are first generation college-bound (neither parent has earned a four-year college degree).
  • Meet the US Department of Education income guidelines.
  • Have a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Funding Sources

The TRIO Talent Search program is federally funded by the United States Department of Education in the amount of $382,907 per year for a period of five years (September 1, 2021 - August 31, 2026) and serves 777 students in the following school districts: OABCIG, Cherokee, MMC-RU, River Valley, Hinton, Lawton-Bronson, Le Mars, Sgt. Bluff-Luton, Westwood, Whiting, West Monona, AR-WE-VA, Boyer Valley, Denison, IKM-Manning, MVAOCOU.