CRESTON—Southwestern Community College (SWCC) recently received word from the United States Department of Education that funding has been renewed for the college’s Educational Talent Search (ETS) program. The grant, for $1.8 million, will be funded at $379,200 per year for five years. This is an increase of $149,300 per year from the previous grant, which was a total of $1.15 million over five years.
The ETS program identifies and assists students (grades sixth through 12th) from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program provides academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants. The goal of ETS is to increase the number of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in and complete their postsecondary education. The program publicizes the availability of financial aid and assists participants with the postsecondary application process. Talent Search also encourages individuals who have not completed education programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or reenter and complete postsecondary education.
ETS has been operating at Southwestern Community College since 2001. With the renewed grant, ETS will continue to serve the following school districts: Bedford, Clarke, Creston, East Union, Lenox, Murray, Orient-Macksburg, and Southwest Valley. Their office is located on SWCC’s Creston campus.
The Educational Talent Search program is 100 percent federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
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