University of Washington Educational Talent Search

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 the postsecondary school of their choice. Talent Search also serves high school dropouts by encouraging them to reenter the educational system and complete their education.

The University of Washington Educational Talent Search Program was established to serve 650 participants in Skagit, Snohomish and Yakima counties. Two-thirds of the participants must meet the U.S. Department of Education's low-income guidelines, and must be first-generation, post-secondary candidates. The first-generation guideline will be satisfied if neither parent has graduated from a four-year college or university. One-third of the participants need only to express a need for services. An expressed need for ETS services can be met by a referral from a teacher, counselor, or agency; self-referrals are also accepted.

The Mission of the University of Washington Talent Search Program is to:

• Identify qualified youth who are low-income and potential first-generation college students and to encourage them to complete high school and enroll in a post-secondary level education program
• Publicize the availability of student financial assistance at the post-secondary level
• Encourage persons who have not completed secondary or post-secondary education to reenter these programs