Educational Equity secures re-funding of Educational Talent Search grants

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity has secured the re-funding of all three of its currently funded Educational Talent Search grants through a grant competition conducted by the U.S. Department of Education in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor.

The grants provide a combined annual budget of $1.13 million and represent a total five-year commitment of $5.65 million. The grants are renewable and will support programming designed to help more than 2,250 students in grades six through 12 each year across participating school districts.

Educational Talent Search is one of the TRIO programs, which are federally funded programs that help students from communities underrepresented in higher education prepare for and pursue postsecondary education. Through academic advising, college and career exploration, financial-aid guidance, tutoring, mentoring, and other supportive services, the Talent Search program helps students strengthen their preparation for high school completion, college enrollment, and long-term career success.

Penn State’s Educational Talent Search programs serve students in the following school districts:

• Clairton City Schools
• McKeesport School District
• Sharon City Schools
• Farrell Area School District
• New Castle Area School District
• New Kensington-Arnold School District
• School District of the City of York
• Aliquippa School District

“The re-funding of all three Educational Talent Search grants underscores Penn State’s commitment to expanding educational opportunity and helping students envision and achieve their postsecondary goals,” said Kelli Canonge, Talent Search program director at Penn State. “Through strong partnerships with our school districts, we are able to help provide students with the guidance, resources and encouragement they need to succeed.”

The grants are housed within Penn State’s Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity, which works to advance access, opportunity and success for students and communities throughout the commonwealth.

"We are excited that this renewed funding will allow Talent Search to keep serving more than 2,250 students each year in our partner school districts,” said SeriaShia Chatters, interim vice provost for Educational Equity. “Our unit is committed to continuous support of, and collaboration with, TRIO programs such as Talent Search, so that students from communities underserved in higher education have the guidance and opportunities they need to pursue their goals after high school."

Educational Talent Search services are provided at no cost to participating students. Programming includes assistance with academic planning, college applications, scholarship and financial-aid applications, career exploration, campus visits, and preparation for the transition from high school to postsecondary education or training.