TRIO Educational Talent Search Fall Newsletter
Educational Talent Search, 0113 Student Services Bldg, Ames, IA 50011
515-294-5546
What is TRIO? The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to postbaccalaureate programs. The eight TRIO programs are: Educational Opportunity Centers, Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement, Student Support Services, Talent Search, Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs Staff, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science and Veterans Upward Bound
What is 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 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 persons who have not completed education programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or reenter and complete postsecondary education.
TRIO Educational Talent Search (ETS) provides the services below to those grade levels marked:
9th / 10th / 11th / 12thX / X / X / X / Information on careers
X / X / X / X / TRIPS to experience educational places
X / X / X / X / TUTORING
X / X / X / X / STUDY SKILLS information
X / X / X / X / INFORMATION on schools and financial aid/scholarships
X / X / X / X / CATALOGS, BROCHURES and VIEW BOOKS for colleges
X / X / HELP filling out applications
X / X / STUDY GUIDES for ACT and SAT tests
X / APPLICATIONS to schools
X / APPLICATIONS and ASSISTANCE for financial aid
X / SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH
The following services are provided to students who are economically eligible. If you are not sure whether you are eligible for these services, ask your TRIO ETS advisor during school visits or call us at 515.294.5546.
11th / 12thX / X / fee waivers for ACT or SAT test
X / REIMBURSEMENT for gasoline to visit 2 college campuses (up to $60 total reimbursement,$30 per visit)
X / ADMISSION FEES WAIVED/DEFERRED until financial aid arrives (you can apply to several schools and usually pay only the admission fee of the school you choose to attend) Students who would like assistance with college admission fees for their applications, should send either the original or a copy of their application to the ETS office. Our office will send a letter to your prospective college asking that the fee be waived or deferred. It is important not to pay the fee yourself, since we can NOT refund the amount. Check with your ETS advisor about how this process works before sending in your applications.
ACT Test Dates and Deadlines
Test Date / Registration Deadline / (Late Fee Required)October 25, 2014 / September 19, 2014 / September 20–October 3, 2014
December 13, 2014 / November 7, 2014 / November 8–21, 2014
February 7, 2015 / January 9, 2015 / January 10–16, 2015
April 18, 2015 / March 13, 2015 / March 14–27, 2015
June 13, 2015 / May 8, 2015 / May 9–22, 2015
SAT test – Although most TRIO students will take the ACT as their college entrance exam, we do offer waivers and guidance for those who choose to take the SAT test. Please see your TRIO advisor if you are considering taking the SAT.
Upcoming College Fairs College fairs are a great way to visit with staff from various colleges at one location. Most college fairs have 50-60 colleges represented. You can visit with admission staff and ask questions, learn about majors, financial aid, scholarships and sign up to be on their mailing/email lists.
● University of Northern Iowa - McLeod Center, September 16th- 9am-11am (TRIO ETS is sponsoring a bus for Iowa Falls Alden seniors and juniors to attend, sign up in the IFAHS guidance office, lunch will be covered as well)
● Golden Circle College Fair – Iowa Events Center, Hy-Vee Hall, Sunday, September 28th - 12:30pm-3pm (over 150 colleges represented)
● Marshalltown Community College – September 30th – 9am-11am
● Iowa Central Community College, October 1st – 9am-10:30am (TRIO ETS will be providing transportation to and from the college fair for any Fort Dodge Senior junior or senior who is interested) See your advisor for details
● Ankeny – DMACC, October 16th – 9:30am-11:00am (TRIO ETS will be providing transportation to and from the college fair for any Perry junior or senior who is interested) See your advisor for details
Scholarship Search College Scholarships - Look for scholarships at colleges you are interested in attending. Most colleges have their scholarships listed on their website. You can review eligibility and often apply directly via the website or your application for admission will serve as your scholarship application. Academic scholarships will consider your grade point average and often your ACT composite score. If you are an athlete, fine arts participant or active in leadership or community service be sure to check if there are scholarships for one of these activities. Contact a college admission counselor to ask about other scholarship opportunities.
Local scholarships - Most high school guidance offices have a list or website of your local scholarship options. Be sure to review the list early and check on eligibility and deadlines. If you haven’t updated your list of activities from high school, do so now! An updated list of all your high school extra-curricular activities, leadership, community service, and work experience is key to completing scholarship applications. Talk to your TRIO advisor and be sure to share a copy with them. Don’t forget to check with any clubs, organizations, places of worship and with your employer or parents’ employers to see if they offer scholarships.
National scholarships- Websites like , , allow you to create profiles and apply for various scholarships offered by organizations around the United States. Competition for these scholarships can often be very competitive.
Scholarship Hints:
● Don’t skip that scholarship just because it requires an essay. Often you can use an essay you wrote for a class or project or use the same one for several scholarships. If it requires an essay chances are most students won’t even apply.
● Start the scholarship search process early and apply for scholarships early in your senior year to avoid burnout.
● Be sure to update and review your list of activities and save on your computer. Having a list of all your high school activities (in and out of school) , extra-curricular participation, leadership/community service/volunteer work is a real time saver. Be sure to have your TRIO advisor review it for any additions or changes.
● Don’t ever pay for a scholarship search or for a service that guarantees scholarship money!
Senior Year Planning
Seniors should plan to attend all monthly TRIO meetings to make sure they are keeping on track and receiving information and support from their advisor.
September-October:
● Submit your college applications. Be sure to complete those for your top choices right away because your acceptance date can impact priority for housing and some scholarships. Be sure to apply to more than one college and always have a backup plan in place in case your first choice doesn’t turn out to be your final choice. Several scholarships and financial aid packages are dependent upon your acceptance to that college, so be sure to apply early!
● If you haven’t visited your top choices, the fall is a great time to visit before winter sets in.
● Don’t forget the ACT test as well. If you took the ACT as a junior and want to retake it or if you need to take it for the first time, be sure to sign up for the October test date. Those students applying to a private college should retake the ACT to increase their chances of receiving a larger academic scholarship.
● Begin applying for scholarships. See the scholarship search article in this newsletter for helpful hints and websites.
● Visit with college admission representatives when they stop by your high school. They can be a great resource to answer your questions and learn about opportunities and scholarships at their institution.
November-December:
● Be sure to finish up any additional college applications.
● If you missed the October ACT test date or need to improve your score, get registered for the December 13th test
● Finish up any needed college visits – group visit dates can be found on the college website or set up an individual date
● Begin the financial aid process by applying for a pin number for the FAFSA. Go to www.pin.ed.gov . This will allow you to electronically sign your FAFSA which becomes available online after January 1st. One parent will need a pin number as well. If they have one from an older sibling, they can reuse it.
Junior Year Planning
The junior year is when your college planning shifts into gear. There are many ways to start your search:
● Attend college fairs – most college fairs have over 50 colleges from Iowa and surrounding state represented
● Go on college/campus visits – set up a campus visit by calling the college or visiting their website
● Meet with college admission representatives – they will be at college fairs and will be visiting your high school
● Research colleges, majors, careers and on the web - take virtual tours, learn about admission policies and requirements
● Work with your TRIO advisor during monthly meetings at your school – see the visit dates listed in this newsletter
● Plan to take the ACT if you are considering applying to a 4-year college during your senior year
● Update your activity list/resume and share with your TRIO advisor
● Stay on top of your studies! Colleges look at your 11th grade year grades and classes in determining admission
● Plan ahead. Look to see what scholarship opportunities you qualify for at the colleges you are considering
High School Visits by TRIO Advisors
Kurt Roberts – 515-294-3676 office, 515-509-6727 cell
Iowa Falls Alden - 12th and 11th Grades Sept 11, Oct 9, Nov 6, Dec 4
Fort Dodge Senior 12th Grade Sept 9, Oct 7, Nov 4, Dec 211th Grade Sept 23, Oct 14, Nov 18, Dec 9
Janelle Seward – 515-294-5547 office, 515-509-6510 cell
Marshalltown 12th Grade Sept 4, Oct 2, Nov 6, Dec 4 11th Grade Sept 11, Oct 9, Nov 13, Dec 11
Brittany Rigdon – 515-294-3673 office, 515 509-6728 cell
Perry 12th Sept 2, Oct 7, Nov 4, Dec 211th Grade Sept 9, Oct 14, Nov 5, Dec 9
South Tama 12th and 11th Grades Sept 4, Oct 2, Nov 6, Dec 4
Glossary of Terms
Application fee - Fee required to apply to a college. Many four year colleges charge from $25-$50 for application fees.
Application fee waived/deferred – If an application fee is waived, you are not responsible for payment of the fee. If the fee is deferred and you attend that college it will be rolled over into your fees you owe as a student.
Common application – The common app allows students to fill out one application that can be sent to a variety of colleges. Not every college accepts the common application form.
Campus visit – A visit to a college where you generally meet with admission staff, tour campus, and potentially meet with faculty.
Campus visit day – A visit day set up by the college where groups of students attend and visit. Visit days can be specific to 11th or 12th grade students, specific majors of interest, sports or other activities.
ACT test – The ACT is a college entrance exam that measures a student’s knowledge in Math, Science, English and Reading. The average ACT score is 21. An ACT is required if you apply to a four-year college as a high school senior.
SAT test- The SAT test is a multiple-question college entrance exam which tests the reasoning and problem solving abilities of students.
Compass test – The compass test is a web based test required by most community colleges in order to assist in placing students in their first-year courses.
Admission requirements – These are specific classes, grades or scores a college is looking for in order to accept a student for admission. Some colleges require specific years of math, science, English, social studies and foreign language classes. Certain majors may require more coursework than basic admission to the college.
RAI or Regents Admission Index - Students from Iowa high schools must have a Regent Admission Index score of at least 245 and take the minimum number of required high school courses to qualify for automatic admission to Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at The University of Iowa. Students who achieve a score less than 245 will be considered for admission on an individual basis. The index combines four factors that strongly predict success at regent universities: ACT or SAT test score, high school rank, high school cumulative grade-point average, and the number of completed high school core courses.
Core Courses – Courses in English, math, science, social studies and foreign language
Transcript – An official record of your high school courses and grades. Colleges require a transcript in order to evaluate the classes you have taken and the grades you received. Transcripts will also show your grade point average, class rank and ACT test scores.
Grade Point Average – A grade point is calculated using the value of each letter grade and dividing by the number of courses taken. Each letter is assigned a value: A+ =4, A =4, A- =3.7, B+ =3.3, B =3, B- =2.7, C+ =2.3, C =2, C- =1.7, D+ =1.3, D=1, D- =.7 and F=0. A cumulative grade point average shows your average over your time in high school.
Financial Aid – A student’s financial aid package can be made up of up to four different types of financial assistance – scholarships, grants, loans and work-study.
Scholarships – Financial aid that does not have to be paid back. Most scholarships require an application, audition or portfolio. There are various types of scholarships: academic, fine arts, athletics, leadership, community service
Grants – Grants are based on your family income and size. They are given to students who show financial need. They do not have to be paid back and require a student to submit a FAFSA form to determine eligibility.
Loans – A loan is money that is borrowed to help pay for your education. Most loans include interest that accrues starting six month after a student is finished with college or starting their first day of school.
Work-Study – This type of financial aid allows a student the opportunity to work on a college campus. Eligibility is determined by filing a FAFSA and showing financial need. A student must find their own job and work in order to receive their work-study funds.
Pin Number – A pin number is required for a student and one parent in order to electronically sign their FAFSA form.
The pin can be secured by visiting www.pin.ed.gov and signing up.
FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid – The FAFSA as it is commonly called is required in order to be eligible for federal student aid. Loans, grants and work study require a completed form in order to determine eligibility. The FAFSA will be available online after January 1, 2015 at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Parents and/or the student will need tax information from the previous year to help accurately answer the online form. A FAFSA is filed every year a student is in college.
Postbaccalaureate: College course work beyond a bachelor’s degree.
TRIO Programs are 100% funded through the US Department of Education. Iowa State University’s Educational Talent Search program has been serving students since 1978.