Created by the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act and funded by the 1965 Higher Education Act, the Educational Talent Search Program (Talent Search), like over 330 other Talent Search programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education, is designed to encourage students in grades six through twelve, as well as high school dropouts or postsecondary stop-outs to continue their education. Talent Search Programs serve over 302,000 participants each year.

Talent Search serves individuals identified as potential first-generation college students (neither parent has a four-year college degree) who have the ability to succeed in higher education. The most successful candidates demonstrate interest, motivation, and the capability to be productive and successful in an academic environment.

The goal of Educational Talent Search is to increase the number of individuals who complete high school and enroll in the postsecondary education institution of their choice.

Do you want to continue your education past high school or know someone who does? Are you a parent of a student? The Educational Talent Search program can help make your plans for postsecondary education become a reality.

This federally funded TRIO program is not a recruitment program for any one college or institution, but an assessment and advising program which can help you to:

bulletUnderstand educational opportunities and options and
resources to access postsecondary education
bulletChoose the high school courses needed for postsecondary education
bulletParticipate in College Prep Counseling, individual and group, at all levels
bulletParticipate in SAT workshops
bulletObtain fee waivers for SAT testing and college applications
bulletParticipate in group counseling sessions in grades six through eleven on:
bulletTime management
bulletCareer interests inventories
bulletCareer preparation
bulletDeveloping study skills
bulletCollege awareness
bulletParticipate in individual counseling sessions in grade twelve
bulletParticipate in evening and school day workshops on the financial aid application process
bulletParticipate in individual financial aid counseling for any student and/or parent to assure that any student can afford college
bulletParticipate in senior workshops on surviving the first year of college 
bulletParticipate in field trips to Universities, Colleges, and Career Sites throughout Virginia