Free Program Services Provided:

All program services are 100% FREE to participants! TS offers in-person and virtual services. Click here to see TRiO Talent Search Program brochure.

• Academic enrichment
• SAT/ACT preparation
• Transition skills from middle school to high school and high school to college
• Meals and transportation provided for events

Career Search

• Career planning
• Interest assessment
• Careers sorted by interests

Academic Skills Development

• Connections to free tutoring
• Time management and study skills
• Academic advising
• Research activities

College Application and Enrollment Assistance

• Application fee waivers
• SAT/ACT fee waivers
• Financial aid and scholarship assistance
• Local and out-of-state college tours

Cultural Enrichment

• Historical tours
• Museums
• Athletic events

Financial Literacy

• Banzai
• Everyday Financial Decision
• Your Money & You
• Keeping Track of Your Money

Summer Programming

• Summer Academy Enrichment Program, sixth-10th grades

Who We Serve

TS at Trident Technical College serves more than 850 students annually from 12 target schools (five middle schools, seven high schools, and two adult education programs) in Berkeley and Charleston County.

Start Your Engines

Students:

• Think about college as an important part of your future.
• Discuss your thoughts and ideas with your family and with people at school.
• Start saving for college if you haven’t already.
• Take challenging and interesting classes to prepare for high school.
• Ask your parent or guardian to help you research high school special programs that will benefit your interests.
• Develop strong study habits.
• Do your best in school and on standardized tests. If you are having difficulty, don’t give up – get help from a teacher, tutor or mentor.
• Become involved in school and community-based activities that let you explore your interests and learn new things.
• Speak with adults, such as your TS coordinator, teachers, school counselor or librarian, relatives or family friends, who you think have interesting jobs. Ask them, “What do you like about your job?” and “What education did you need for your job?”.

Parents:

• Plant a Seed: It is never too early to start a conversation with your child about college.
• Join the Club: Make sure your child stays involved with student organizations, clubs and extracurricular activities at school.
• Keep Reading: Encourage your kids to read for pleasure, not just for school.
• Watch the Clock: Help your child develop time management skills while doing their homework so they can stay organized and prepared.
• Set a Good Example: Talk to your child about the importance of studying hard and getting good grades as they look ahead to high school and college.
• Stay in Touch: Meet with your child’s teachers and counselors to stay updated on their progress in the classroom.
• Get Social: Talk to neighbors, relatives and friends with students in college; you will learn a lot by asking questions about their experiences.
• Go to School: Find out if your child’s middle school hosts any college information programs featuring admissions representatives or college graduates.

Get Ready to Take Off

Welcome to Freshman Year!

Freshman year is all about transitioning. Students transition from being the oldest students at a school they attended for several years to the youngest students at a new, bigger school. High school teachers have different expectations than middle school teachers, and students will need to learn those expectations and figure out how to meet them. Overall, students will spend a lot of this year just figuring things out and that's okay!

Talent Search Top Priority

Throughout freshman year, TS’s goal is to introduce students to lots of topics that will be important for them to understand throughout high school and into college. These topics include minimum course requirements and four-year plans, money for college, managing time and starting to think about a direction for a future career. Discussions also will include skills needed to be successful in school and life, including some basic money items, communicating effectively, and how to prepare for final exams. Each topic will help students be successful this year and feel more prepared for sophomore year.

Sophomores Take Note!

Sophomore year is an interesting limbo of sorts. It is not a student’s first year of high school anymore; they have experience now. Still, they are not an upper-class (wo)man. Last year, students were figuring out the ropes of how high school works both in and out of the classroom, and this year, it is time to put what they learned into action. Students will be encouraged to get more involved, consider taking on leadership roles and really focus on grades. Sophomore year grades make up half of what most colleges will consider for admissions.

Talent Search Top Priority

Throughout sophomore year the goal is to help students feel confident in the many options they have for their future. Students will be introduced to several college options, get a reminder of college entrance requirements, and learn more about pursuing the things they love (sports, music, art, video games, etc.) in college. Students will learn why their grades matter this year (they really do!) and get an introduction to the types of financial aid available to them for college. Students also will get walk-throughs of various study skills. Finally, students will dive deeper into career and job interest surveys and start thinking about what their first job might look like (assuming they don't have one already). Students should talk with their TRIO Talent Search Program Coordinator and School Counselor often to help them navigate this year.

Freshmen and Sophomores:

• Meet with the Talent Search Coordinator to create a plan for preparing for college.
• Tell teachers and counselors that you plan on going to college.
• Develop strong study habits – pay attention in class, complete homework on time and ask for help when you don’t understand something.
• Get involved in activities after school. Join clubs, play sports, get a job or volunteer in the community.
• Stay involved in these activities throughout your high school career to demonstrate consistency.
• Work with the school counselor to take the PSAT and/or ACT.
• Be open to explore new possibilities. Here is a great resource to start with.
• Start to gather information about colleges – use college search tools or ask the TS coordinator and guidance counselor for resources.
• Use the summer to read, attend pre-college camps, take enrichment classes or seek employment. This is a great opportunity to better your verbal, writing, critical thinking and leadership skills. A great tool is SC State Preparing for College for Students, Families and Military by South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE).
• While viewing SC CHE website, take a look at the list of Public & Independent Colleges in SC and the College Prerequisite Requirements for Freshmen.

Put the Pedal to the Metal

Stay on Target Juniors

Junior Year is demanding. It is an academically heavy year, with a large dose of academic classes and maybe an elective. Students may be in some Advanced Placement classes and will have those college-credit-eligible exams in the Spring (students may not be in those classes and that is okay, too). If students are planning on applying to four-year colleges, they will need to start thinking about the ACT and/or SAT tests.

Talent Search Top Priority

TS wants to help students gain all of the knowledge they can so they can make educated decisions about their post-high school education. This year they will learn about two-year and four-year options for college, be introduced to the various types of financial aid and standardized testing. Students should talk to their TRIO Talent Search Program Coordinator and School Counselor often as they work through this year. They will be grateful as seniors if they follow these steps now!

Juniors:

• Make sure you are on track to meet the minimum course requirements for college admission.
• Register to take the SAT and/or ACT multiple times (Ask the Talent Search Coordinator or school guidance counselor for a fee waiver).
• Narrow down your list of colleges based on where you will thrive best. Keep in consideration the school’s size, location, whether they have the major you’re interested in and extracurricular activities available. You can research schools on College Board.
• Attend college fairs in the area to speak with admissions reps. from the schools you are interested in.
• Find an internship or volunteer opportunity in the field you plan to study.
• Use breaks (winter break, spring break and summer break) from school to visit colleges.
• Make a list of teachers, coaches and community members that you may be able to ask for recommendation letters when you apply to college.
• Research application and scholarship deadlines and requirements for your senior year.
• Remind parents and guardians to prepare tax information for your financial aid application.

The Home Stretch

Senior Year Came so Quickly

Remember how it felt to sitting in a high school class for the very first time? Everything felt so unfamiliar. College and adulthood seemed like distant concepts. All that mattered was navigating and excelling in this new environment. High school graduation, adulthood, college and careers are on the horizon.

Top Talent Search Priority

Undoubtedly, many adults are asking, "What are your plans after high school?" Talent Search is also interested and eager to support students in achieving their goals.

So, how can TS help students along the path to happiness? The program aims to help students find something that they both love and are good at, and to discover how that can help the world.

Seniors:

Fall

• Visit the senior website to familiarize yourself with everything you need to know about applying.
• Schedule your one-on-one fall senior meeting with your TS Coordinator.
• Select three top colleges – a reach school, safety school and match school. What are Reach, Match, and Safety Schools?
• Mark application deadlines on your calendar (Early Decision vs Early Action).
• Ask the TS coordinator for a fee waiver (SAT/ACT and/or college Application Fee Waivers)!
• Reach out to teachers, coaches and community members for letters of recommendation.
• Visit this website to Create an Account, Retrieve Your Username, or Reset Your Password, to e-sign Your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• On Oct. 1, start and Complete Your Financial Aid Application – be aware of institution’s priority deadlines.
• Apply for Scholarships.
• Complete the RDS residency form.
• Student athletes: register with the NCAA Clearinghouse for eligibility certification.

Spring

• Schedule a one-on-one spring senior meeting with your TS Coordinator to complete an Exit Form.
• Compare admissions decisions and financial aid packages.
• Apply for more Scholarships. Why? Because you can.
• May 1 is the national deadline to confirm your enrollment – decide which institution you wish to attend.
• Join admitted student groups to connect with future classmates.
• Send an official final transcript to your future college.
• Figure out housing arrangements, orientation dates and placement testing requirements.
• Pay housing and enrollment deposit fees.

Eligibility

Students must meet federal income guidelines and program admissions criteria. Students must be between the ages of 11 and 27, attend one of the 12 TS target schools, and demonstrate a genuine interest in pursuing a high school education, and a post-secondary education, along with completing TS application materials.

How to Apply

Talent Search accepts online and digital applications! Both applications are available in English and Spanish. Use the links below to complete the online application. Once received, a TRIO Coordinator will be in contact to complete the application process. To expedite the process, please answer all questions on the application. Application forms are also available at our target school’s guidance office.

• TRIO Talent Search Application (English)
• TRIO Talent Search Application (Spanish)

To request a paper application, fill out the form at the bottom of this page, and we will mail you an application. Once the application is received a Talent Search Program Coordinator at the student’s school will conduct an intake interview. The coordinator will notify students if they are accepted.

Questions?

For questions about Talent Search process and forms, please call 843-899-8085, send an email to triotalentsearch@tridenttech.edu, or contact the Talent Search Staff member at your school.

Please complete the form below and click the 'Submit' button at the bottom to have an application mailed to your address.

Please complete all fields with an *.

Talent Search Application

Resources for Parents and Students

To give students the best opportunities for success, here are some virtual resources.

Tutoring | Homework Help

Khan Academy
Offers FREE, high-quality tutorial videos and test prep for anyone.

Purdue Owl
A fabulous resource for putting together works cited pages. They provide examples and explanations on proper citation for APA, MLA and other popular style guides.

Academics

Berkeley County
High School Program of Study

Charleston County
High School Program of Study

ACT
This website provides students with information regarding the ACT and resources to prepare for the ACT. Students may also register for the ACT and send their scores to different colleges on this website.

College Board/SAT
This website provides students with information regarding the SAT and resources to prepare for the SAT. Students may also register for the SAT and send their scores to different colleges on this website.

SC Free GED Prep
The GED tests make it possible for qualified individuals to earn a high school credential that provides opportunities to pursue higher education, obtain jobs or job promotions, and achieve your personal goals.

What’s on the GED

College Preparation

College Search
A comprehensive set of college planning tools to help students prepare, apply, and pay for college.

College Tours
This website is the largest provider of virtual and video campus tours and interactive map services to the academic, non-profit and government markets.

College Board
This website includes college readiness programs, college connection and success programs and resources, and advocacy. It serves both students and educators.

Financial Aid | Financial Literacy

Types of Financial Aid

• Grants - Financial aid that does not have to be repaid
• Loans - Borrowed money that must be repaid-with interest
• Work-study - Earn money by working on campus while enrolled in school to help pay for education expenses

Financial Aid Toolkit
Provides federal student aid information and outreach tools for counselors, college access professionals, nonprofit mentors and other advisors.

Who is Eligible for Financial Aid?

• U.S. citizens with a valid Social Security Number
• High school graduates or GED recipient
• Students enrolled in an eligible program who are seeking a degree
• Males between the ages of 18 and 25 who are registered with the Selective Service

How to Fill Out the FAFSA
This is a great YouTube video with instructions. There are other similar videos that explain questions related to determining dependency, FAFSA overview information and what to do after you submit the FAFSA.

FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Personal Finance
Payback is a fun, interactive game designed to get students thinking about how to succeed in college without taking on too much student loan debt.

Banzai Financial Literacy
Banzai’s games and resources allow students and parents to make mistakes, learn and succeed from the safety of their classroom or home. Some of the life literacy skills they develop include budgeting, saving and managing debt.

Scholarships

Scholarship opportunities change the game for FIRST-GEN students.

TRIO Talent Search participants find financial support and mentorship through the One at a Time scholarship.

Scholarship Tips Webinar

The Recovery Village Health Care Scholarship

Goodwin Meissner Last Dollar Scholarship

Note: These next two are ad-funded scholarship databases (set up a separate email account for these to avoid SPAM).

Scholarships.com

Fastweb.com

College Athletics

NCAA Eligibility Center
This resource is for students who want to play college sports.

Career Planning

8 Employability Skills That Prepare High Schoolers for the 21st Century Workforce

Career One Stop
A source for career exploration, training and jobs.

Career One Stop Assessment
Learn about the career that might be right for you. Start your interest assessment; 30 questions in 5 minutes.

My Future
This website provides students with career, college and military information resources.

O*Net My Next Move
What do you want to do for a living?

O*Net Interest Profiler
Discover Your Interest

O*Net Careers Sorted by Interest
Interests You might like to Explore