Program Office: Federal TRIO Programs
CFDA Number: 84.044
Program Type: Discretionary/Competitive Grants
Also Known As: TRIO (Talent Search is one of eight TRIO programs.)
Program Description
The Talent Search program identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program provides academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to and complete their postsecondary education. The program publicizes the availability of financial aid and assist participant with the postsecondary application process. Talent Search also encourages persons who have not completed education programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or reenter and complete postsecondary education. The goal of Talent Search is to increase the number of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in and complete their postsecondary education.
Types of Projects
Projects provide tutorial services, career exploration, aptitude assessments, counseling, mentoring programs, workshops, information on postsecondary institutions; education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of students; guidance on and assistance in secondary school reentry, alternative education programs for secondary school dropouts, entry into general educational development programs or postsecondary education; and programs and activities previously mentioned that are specially designed for students who are limited English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, students with disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths, students who are in foster care or are aging out of the foster care system or other disconnected students.
Additional Information
Services provided by the program include:
- Academic, financial, career, or personal counseling including advice on entry or re-entry to secondary or postsecondary programs
- Career exploration and aptitude assessment
- Tutorial services
- Information on postsecondary education
- Exposure to college campuses
- Information on student financial assistance
- Assistance in completing college admissions and financial aid applications
- Assistance in preparing for college entrance exams
- Mentoring programs
- Special activities for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders
- Workshops for the families of participants
Who May Apply: (by category) 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.
Students must be between the ages of 11 and 27 and have completed the fifth grade. In any given project, two-thirds of the participants must be students who are low-income and potential first-generation college students.
Timeline
This program operates on a five-year grant cycle.
Current competition: FY 2021
Federal Register Notices
- (Archive) Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for FY 2021 | PDF (244KB)
- (Archive) Talent Search Reopening Notice | PDF (244KB)
Current Application
The archived FY 2021 Talent Search application package can be found at grants.gov.
The Department reopened the competition for the FY 2021 Talent Search Program competition, Assistance Listing Number [84.044A], for potential applicants in areas in Louisiana (FEMA Disaster designation: EM-3556-LA), Oklahoma (FEMA Disaster designation: EM-3555-OK) and Texas (FEMA Disaster designation: EM-3554-TX) for which the President has issued an emergency declaration. For applicants that meet the eligibility criteria in this notice, we are reopening the competition until March 12, 2021. We are also extending the intergovernmental review deadline until May 11, 2021. Please review the Federal Register official notice of this reopening.
Application Contact
Craig Pooler, craig.pooler@ed.gov, 202-453-6195
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
E-mail: OPE_TRIO@ed.gov
If you use a TDD, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
FY 2023
Projects funded for 2023-24: MS Excel (36K)
FY 2022
Projects funded for 2022-23: MS Excel (35K)
FY 2021
Projects funded for 2021-22: MS Excel (12K)
FY 2020
Projects funded for 2020-21: MS Excel (35K)
FY 2019
Projects funded for 2019-20: MS Excel (33K)
FY 2018
Projects funded for 2018-19: MS Excel (35K)
FY 2017
Projects funded for 2017-18: MS Excel (34K)
FY 2016
Projects funded for 2016-17: MS Excel (87K)
FY 2015
Projects funded for 2015-16: MS Excel (87K) | PDF (430K)
FY 2014
Projects funded for 2014-15: MS Excel (90K) | PDF (426K)
FY 2013
Projects funded for 2013-14: 
MS Excel (87K)
FY 2012
Projects funded for 2012-13: MS Excel (88K) | PDF (428K)
FY 2023
Funding Allocation: $195,115,784Number of Awards: 548
Number of Participants: 343,356
Average Award: $356,051
Average Number of Participants: 627
Average Cost per Participant: $568
FY 2022
Funding Allocation: $190,437,025
Number of Awards: 551
Number of Participants: 350,230
Average Award: $345,621
Average Number of Participants: 636
Average Cost per Participant: $544
FY 2021
Funding Allocation: $184,987,311
Number of Awards: 530
Number of Participants: 340,427
Average Award: $349,033
Average Number of Participants: 642
Average Cost per Participant: $543
FY 2020
Funding Allocation: $168,306,753
Number of Awards: 473
Number of Participants: 309,905
Average Award: $355,828
Average Number of Participants: 655
Average Cost per Participant: $543
FY 2019
Funding Allocation: $179,852,045
Number of Awards: 473
Number of Participants: 309,905
Average Award: $380,237
Average Number of Participants: 655
Average Cost per Participant: $580
FY 2018
Funding Allocation: $158,260,406
Number of Awards: 473
Number of Participants: 309,905
Average Award: $334,589
Average Number of Participants: 655
Average Cost per Participant: $511
FY 2017
Funding Allocation: $151,772,998
Number of Awards: 473
Number of Participants: 312,885
Average Award: $320,873
Average Number of Participants: 661
Average Cost per Participant: $485
FY 2016
Funding Allocation: $150,635,825
Number of Awards: 481
Number of Participants: 318,723
Average Award: $313,172
Average Number of Participants: 663
Average Cost per Participant: $473
FY 2015
Funding Allocation: $134,520,595
Number of Awards: 449
Number of Participants: 310,199
Average Award: 299,600
Average Number of Participants: 691
Average cost per Participant: $434
FY 2014
Funding Allocation: $134,613,873
Number of Awards: 450
Number of Participants: 310,747
Average Award: 299,142
Average Number of Participants: 691
Average cost per Participant: $433
FY 2013
Funding Allocation for $128,116,544
Number of Awards: 452
Number of Participants: 301,085
Average Award: $283,444
Average Number of Participants: 666
Average Cost per Participant: $426
FY 2012
Funding Allocation for TS: $135,968,652
Number of Awards: 454
Number of Participants: 313,641
Average Award: $299,490
Average Number of Participants: 691
Average Cost per Participant: $434
FY 2011
Funding Allocation for TS: $138,658,540
Number of Awards: 461
Number of Participants: 319,678
Average Award: $300,778
Average Number of Participants: 693
Average Cost per Participant: $434
Legislation
- Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Sections 402A and 402B
- 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1070a-12 MS Word (217K) | PDF (188K)
Regulations
- Official Final Regulations Amending TRIO Regulations, as published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2010. These final regulations amend the Talent Search Program regulations. [ PDF]
- Title 34 Code of Federal Regulations Part 643
- Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99
Annual Performance Report
The 2022-23 Talent Search (TS) annual performance report (APR) is available as of November 1, 2023. All TS grantees are required to submit their 2022-23 APRs via the TRIO APR Web Portal at https://trio.ed.gov. Grantees must submit their reports by December 5, 2023. To access all relevant documents including the APR form and instructions, please CLICK HERE.
GPRA Reports
The U.S. Department of Education's annual Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) report for the Talent Search (TS) program contains outcome data for two measures—postsecondary enrollment and completion of financial aid application—and one measure of program efficiency. To obtain the narrative report(s) and/or data table(s), click on the link(s) below.
Grantee-Level Performance Results:
2020-21
2021-22
Fast Facts Report for the Talent Search Program PDF (317K)
A Profile of the Federal TRIO Programs and Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program: 2008
MS Word (446K) | PDF (267K)Program Profiles and Reports
A Report on the Talent Search Program: 2007-08, With Select Comparative Data, 2002-07
MS Word (859K) | PDF (925K)An Interim Report on the Talent Search Program: 2002-03 and 2003-04, With Select Data From 2000-02
MS Word (3.42MB) | PDF (665K)A Profile of Talent Search: 1999-00
PDF (292K)A Profile of Talent Search: 1998-99
PDF (485K)
Program Evaluation
Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Applicant and Grantee Resources
Key Staff
Ginger Allen, Program Specialist, (202) 987-1973, Ginger.Allen@ed.gov
Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Dakota, Virginia, WyomingAntoinette Clark, Program Specialist, (202) 453-7121, Antoinette.Edwards@ed.gov
Georgia, Oklahoma, TexasCaroline Chung, Program Specialist, (202) 987-1434, Caroline.Chung@ed.gov
Alaska, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Micronesia, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, UtahDavid Howe, Program Specialist, (202) 453-7687, David.Howe@ed.gov
Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Kentucky, Minnesota, Palau, Tennessee, WisconsinReginald Jackson, Program Specialist, (202) 987-1908, Reginald.Jackson@ed.gov
Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina- Nicole Josemans, Program Specialist, (202) 453-7111, Nicole.Josemans@ed.gov
Indiana, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Washington Marques Thomas, Program Specialist, (202) 453-5775, Marques.Thomas@ed.gov
District of Columbia, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, North Dakota, South Carolina, Vermont, West VirginiaBen Witthoefft, Program Specialist, (202) 453-7576, Ben.Witthoefft@ed.gov
California
Student Service Organizational Directory
Mailing Address
Office of Federal TRIO Programs
U.S. Department of Education, OPE
Higher Education Programs
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., 5th floor
Washington, DC 20202
E-mail: OPE_TRIO@ed.gov
Fax: (202) 260-7464
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- What is COVID-19 Flexibility?
- What is the purpose of the Talent Search Program?
- Who is eligible for a grant?
- What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
- How often are Talent Search competitions generally held?
- What is the duration of the average grant?
- What is the average annual grant amount?
- Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
- What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
- What are the requirements for auditing and/or evaluation of funded projects?
- Are there program-wide performance measures?
1. What is COVID-19 Flexibility?
COVID-19 Flexibility FAQs:
- COVID-19 CARES Act Flexibilities Letter to Student Services Grantees (December 3, 2020)
- COVID-19 Program Match Flexibility Letter to GEAR UP Grantees (December 3, 2020)
- COVID-19 Letter to HEP Grantees on Flexibilities Available Under CARES Act Section 3518 (July 1, 2020)
2. What is the purpose of the Talent Search Program?
The Talent Search program provides grants for projects designed to:
- Identify qualified youths with potential for education at the postsecondary level and encourage them to complete secondary school and undertake a program of postsecondary education;
- 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 education programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or reenter and complete these programs.
3. Who is eligible for a grant?
Institutions of higher education, public or private agencies or organizations, including community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth, secondary schools, or a combination of the institutions, agencies, and organizations mentioned above are eligible to apply for a Talent Search grant.
TOP4. What kinds of activities can be supported with grant funds?
A Talent Search project must provide the following services:
- Connections for participants to high quality academic tutoring services to enable the participants to complete secondary or postsecondary courses;
- Advice and assistance in secondary school course selection and, if applicable, initial postsecondary course selection;
- Assistance in preparing for college entrance examinations and completing college admission applications;
- Information on the full range of Federal student financial aid programs and benefits (including Federal Pell Grant awards and loan forgiveness) and on resources for locating public and private scholarships, and assistance in completing financial aid applications, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
- Guidance on and assistance in secondary school reentry, alternative education programs for secondary school dropouts that lead to the receipt of a regular secondary school diploma, entry into general educational development (GED) programs, or entry into postsecondary education; and
- Connections for participants to education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of the participants or the participants' parents, including financial planning for postsecondary education.
In addition, a Talent Search project may also provide services, such as:
- Academic tutoring, which may include instruction in reading, writing, study skills, mathematics, science, and other subjects;
- Personal and career counseling or activities;
- Information and activities designed to acquaint youth with the range of career options available to the youth;
- Exposure to the campuses of institutions of higher education, as well as to cultural events, academic programs, and other sites or activities not usually available to disadvantaged youth;
- Workshops and counseling for families of participants served;
- Mentoring programs involving elementary or secondary school teachers or counselors, faculty members at institutions of higher education, students, or any combination of these persons;
- Programs and activities as described in this section that are specially designed for participants who are limited English proficient, from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, individuals with disabilities, homeless children and youths, foster care youth, or other disconnected participants.
5. How often are Talent Search competitions generally held?
A Talent Search program competition is held every four years.
TOP6. What is the duration of the average grant?
All Talent Search grants are funded for five-year grant award cycles.
TOP7. What is the average annual grant amount?
All new Talent Search projects funded in 2011 received a maximum of $230,000 per year to serve a minimum of 500 participants, with a cost per participant not to exceed $460.
TOP8. Is there a cost matching requirement? If so, are in-kind contributions acceptable as part of the grantee's match?
The Talent Search Program does not require cost sharing or matching.
TOP9. What are the reporting requirements for grantees? What kind of records and data should be maintained or collected in order to complete required reports?
All Talent Search grantees are required to submit an annual performance report (APR) documenting progress toward meeting their approved project objectives.
For each participant, a grantee must maintain a record of—
- The basis for the grantee's determination that the participant is eligible to participate in the project;
- The grantee's needs assessment for the participant;
- The services that are provided to the participant;
- The specific educational progress made by the participant as a result of the services; and
- To the extent practicable, any services the TS participant receives during the project year from another Federal TRIO program or another federally funded program that serves populations similar to those served under the TS program.
10. What are the requirements for auditing and/or evaluation of funded projects?
Any non-federal entity that expends a total of $500,000 or more in federal funds must have an annual audit that is conducted under the requirements of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-133. In addition, a grantee is required to implement the evaluation plan stated in its funded application.
TOP11. Are there program-wide performance measures?
The success of each Talent Search project is based on whether it provided services to at least the required number of participants each year, and whether it met its annual objectives of having a certain percentage of project participants continue in secondary school, graduate from secondary school with a regular diploma, participate in a rigorous program of study during secondary school, enroll in postsecondary education, and complete postsecondary education.
TOP