TRIO students at the Iowa Capitol building for National TRIO Day.

Iowa State University TRIO Talent Search is a college preparatory program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The goal of Talent Search is to increase the likelihood that participants graduate from high school and enroll in college. Talent Search provides students with academic enrichment, financial aid resources, career exploration and advising through monthly school visits. Talent Search advisors work with school counselors and teachers to identify qualified youth who have the potential for success in college.

Two-thirds of students served by Talent Search must qualify as first-generation (neither parent has a 4-year college degree) and meet income guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education. To learn more about income guidelines, visit the U.S. Department of Education website.

TRIO Talent Search serves 1,000 students in grades 7 through 12 across 5 central Iowa school districts. The following schools are part of Talent Search: 

  • Fort Dodge Senior High
  • Fort Dodge Middle School
  • Hampton-Dumont High School
  • Marshalltown High School
  • Miller Middle School (Marshalltown)
  • Perry High School
  • Perry Middle School
  • South Tama County High School
  • South Tama County Middle School

  • 99.7%

    The average high school graduation ration for Iowa State University Talent Search students from 2022-2024.

  • 73.7%

    of Talent Search seniors enrolled in postsecondary education by the fall 2024. Compared to the State of Iowa average of 58.7%

The TRIO Talent Search program identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. Talent Search provides academic, career, and financial counseling to participants and encourages students to graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary education. Talent Search also serves students who have dropped out of high school by encouraging them to reenter the educational system and complete their education.

Our goal... 

The goal of Talent Search is to increase the number of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in a post-secondary education institution of their choice.

Services Provided by Talent Search
Services Provided by Talent Search
7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
Summer STEM Day at Iowa State X X
Information about study skills X X X X X X
Career Interest Survey X
Career Exploration X X X X X X
College Visits X X X X X
Information about colleges and universities X X X X X X
Private College Tour X
Information about financial aid and scholarships X X
Assistance with completing applications for admission X X
Study guides for ACT and SAT exams X X
Fee waivers for ACT and SAT exams X X
Fee waivers for college application fees X X
Assistance with completing applications for financial aid including the FAFSA X
Assistance with scholarship searches X
Out-of-State College Visits X