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."- U.S. Department of Education.
A completed application is required for participation. Though our program targets students from low-income households who are the first generation in their families to pursue a college degree, up to 1/3 of our students do not meet these qualifications. A signed verification of your family's income is needed for statistical purposes. This information is kept confidential and used only to meet U.S. Department of Education Regulations.
Join SDSU Talent Search!
The origins of Talent Search
The history of TRIO began with Upward Bound, which emerged out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in response to President Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty. In 1965, Talent Search, the second outreach program, was created as part of the Higher Education Act. In 1968, Student Support Services was authorized by the Higher Education Amendments and became the third in a series of educational opportunity programs. By the late 1960s, the term "TRIO" was coined to describe these federal programs (funded by the U.S. Department of Education) that help students overcome economic, social, academic, and cultural barriers to higher education.
Talent Search at SDSU
Our Advisors have extensive experience from diverse backgrounds (e.g., social work, psychology, counseling, and education) and we take a holistic approach in the work that we do. We understand that our students might be facing challenges and potential obstacles in addition to their academic careers. However, we strive to motivate and provide them with academic, social, and emotional support, and teach the importance of self-advocacy.
