Congressman Dennis Cardoza’s office has notified Modesto Junior College that it has been awarded a Talent Search Grant from the Department of Education in the amount of $313,850 per year for five years.

This grant funds a long-running, successful TRIO/Talent Search (TS) program that helps students succeed in high school and transition to college. The program will work with two Modesto middle schools, two high schools, and a continuation center with high percentages of low-income, first-generation students.

The TRIO/TS program identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged background 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 complete their postsecondary education. The program publicizes the availability of financial aid and assists the participant with the postsecondary application process. Talent Search also encourages person who have not completed education programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or reenter and complete postsecondary education. The goal of Talent Search is to increase the number of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in and complete their postsecondary education.