TRIO Talent Search

To identify qualified disadvantaged youths with potential for postsecondary education; to encourage them in completing secondary school and in enrolling in programs of postsecondary education; to publicize the availability of, and facilitate the appl

The purpose of the Talent Search Program is to identify qualified individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds with potential for education at the postsecondary level and encourage them to complete secondary school and undertake postsecondary education. Talent Search projects publicize the availability of, and facilitate the application for, student financial assistance for persons who seek to pursue postsecondary education, and encourage persons who have not completed programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or reenter and complete these programs.

Institutions of higher education (IHEs), public and private agencies and organizations including community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth, combinations of such institutions, agencies and organizations, and as appropriate to the purposes of the program, secondary schools.

Individuals residing in the target area or attending a target school who have potential for education at the postsecondary level and who can benefit from one or more of the services provided by the project. Two-thirds must be low-income individuals who are also potential first generation college students. Project participants must be between 11 and 27 years old (exceptions allowed). Required low-income criteria for participants are stated in application materials.

The Talent Search program authority specifies a list of required and permissible services.

The program regulations (34 CFR 643.31) identify unallowable costs in the Talent Search Program. Costs that are unallowable under the Talent Search program include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) Stipends and other forms of direct financial support for participants. (b) Application fees for financial aid. (c) Research not directly related to the evaluation or improvement of the project. (d) Construction, renovation, and remodeling of any facilities.

Five year projects, annual awards.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

For new awards, the Department will select applicants under the criteria set forth in 643.21 of the program regulations. Contact the program office for additional information.

Selected nonfederal field readers evaluate new proposals on the basis of the selection criteria specified in 34 CFR 643.21. New regulations are being developed. Consult the program office for details. Grantees will be selected on the basis of satisfactory proposals and availability of funds.

About 90 to 180 days.

Awards are for five year project periods. Continuation awards are approved on an annual basis, subject to the availability of funds and the grantee meeting the conditions of the grant and making substantial progress toward meeting the project objectives.

The program statute authorizes a second review of unsuccessful applications. The Department implements the second review process in accordance with the process specified in 34 CFR 643.24. An unsuccessful applicant requesting a second review must provide evidence that the Department, an agent of the Department, or a peer reviewer made a technical, administrative, or scoring error in the processing or review of its application.