Talent Search Program at Tri-County
Receives $380,134 Federal Grant

CONTACT: ELAINE SCOTT-MATTISON, EXT. 1590

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10/9/2003

PENDLETON - The Educational Talent Search (ETS) program at Tri-County Technical College has received $380,134 in federal funding to provide 650 students with the academic and motivational support for them to graduate from high school and enroll in the postsecondary institution of their choice. ETS also provides services to students who have dropped out of high school or a post-secondary institution, to help them to obtain their GED or re-enter college to complete their education.

This is the 23rd consecutive year that the program has received funding from the U.S. Department of Education.

"Educational Talent Search strives to provide academic support and cultural exposure to students that are in need of assistance in understanding their educational opportunities and other options available to them," said Elaine Scott-Mattison, director of TriO. Specifically, participants receive tutoring sessions; study skills instruction; academic, career and personal counseling; college admissions and financial aid assistance, and preparation for the PSAT, SAT and ACT, along with an opportunity to visit college campuses throughout the Southeast.

In addition, a Math/Science/Language Arts Camp is held during the summer to improve students' basic skills in those areas. To provide additional support to participants, the program staff established a Peer Mentoring Program for middle and high school students. "The purpose of the program is to inspire the involvement of each individual in the understanding of their new environment: to comfort them in their struggles, lift their spirits through spirits through fellowship and help them set goals for a successful future," said Mrs. Scott-Mattison.

Talent Search is one of three TRiO programs at Tri-County designed to provide educational opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, ethnic background or economic circumstances, according Mrs. Scott-Mattison. During the program's 23 years of operation, it has served nearly 11,400 secondary students in the three-county area, she said.

For more information about Talent Search, contact Tobi Swartz at Ext. 1599, or Elaine Scott-Mattison at Ext. 1590 at one of these numbers: Anderson County - 225-2250; Oconee County - 882-4412; Pickens County - 859-7033; or Clemson/Pendleton/Anderson - 646-8361. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled should call TDD/VOICE 1-800-735-2905.
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