U.S. Department of Education Grants Cal Poly Nearly $1 Million To Fund 'Talent Search'

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Cal Poly’s Student Academic Services a TRIO Talent Search project grant of $960,000 to help identify and attract students 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 the postsecondary school of their choice.

Talent Search also encourages high school dropouts to reenter the educational system and complete their education. Cal Poly’s grant is for five years and includes a special $10,000 supplement for technology.

Hundreds of campuses nationally competed for Talent Search funding for both new and continuing grants. Cal Poly is one of 17 California institutions newly funded to offer the program.

The Central Coast partner schools targeted for this effort include El Camino Junior High, Fesler Junior High, Lompoc High School, McKenzie Junior High, Mesa Middle School, Nipomo High School, Righetti High School, Santa Maria High School, Shandon Middle School and Shandon High School.

For more information on the Talent Search program, contact Cal Poly Director of Student Academic Services Armando Pezo-Silva at 756-2301.