Educational Talent Search

What is Educational Talent Search?

The Educational Talent Search Program at Lake-Sumter Community College (LSCC) is designed to assist middle school and high school students, as well as individuals who have left school before graduationand who need academic advisement and other support services in order to pursue post-secondary educational opportunities. Educational Talent Search is a TRIO project funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Who can benefit from the Educational Talent Search Program at LSCC?

The program serves 750 participants enrolled in 13 middle and senior high schools in Lake and Sumter Counties. The project works in cooperation with government and community agencies in the area. Middle and high school students and school stop-outs may be eligible to receive services if their parents/guardians did not attain a bachelor's degree and if they meet the income eligibility requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of Education. All participants are required to submit an application, including evidence of yearly family income, family composition (number of members in the family), and the level of education of their parents or guardians.

Services Provided by the Educational Talent Search Program at LSCC

Once selected, participants in the program receive services from the time of selection to the time they enroll in a post-secondary educational program. Some of the services are:

• Career exploration
• Selection of college preparation courses
• College admission and application advising
• Field trips to colleges and universities
• Understanding and meeting high school graduation requirements
• Registration and preparation for the college entrance tests
  ( PSAT, SAT, ACT )
• Interpretation of test scores
• Monitoring of academic progress and tutoring
• Personal advising
• Financial aid advising
• Assistance with completing college financial aid forms
• Cultural enrichment activities and/or field trips
• Self improvement workshops