Finlandia’s TRIO Talent Search secures $1.75 million

Federal grant funds enable continued programming through 2022

Finlandia University’s TRIO Talent Search is proud to announce it has successfully secured $1.75 million, or $349,920 per year for five years, in federal funding that will keep the program funded through 2022, pending federal appropriations.

“We’re excited to continue working with the project participants, their families, and community partners to assist students obtain success now, through post-secondary education,” Program Director Joe Zerbst said.

The mission of TRIO Talent Search is to stimulate and motivate 729 middle and high school students to pursue a program of postsecondary education coming from families of a modest income where neither parent/guardian possesses a four-year bachelor’s degree.

Participants take part in one-on-one, small-, and large-group meetings and seminars to advance their academic acumen and college/career readiness; including tutoring/mentoring, college/career exploration and preparation, assistance finding appropriate educational paths, building study and personal skills, and completing forms to access schools and financial aid, preparation for national standardized tests; participate in one- or multiple-day college and cultural field trips; conduct workshops for parents and students to complete college applications and financial aid documents (i.e. scholarship applications and FAFSA) and learning about personal and postsecondary finances.

TRIO Talent Search has proudly been hosted on the campus of Finlandia University serving students form the western and central UP since the 1980s. Finlandia University hosts three TRIO programs, all of which are 100% federally grant-funded programs by the U.S. Department of Education.

For more information about TRIO Talent Search or to sign up your student, visit keweenawtrio.org/trio-ets/ or contact Joe Zerbst, TRIO Pre-College Programs Director, at (906) 487-7259 or joe.zerbst@finlandia.edu.