The U.S. Department of Education has awarded UC Merced’s Center for Educational Partnerships (CEP) five grants totaling more than $6.9 million for its Talent Search program.
The program aims to increase the number of youths from disadvantaged backgrounds to continue their post-secondary education.
“We are excited to expand CEP’s footprint in the Valley and to offer Talent Search participants the services and resources needed to graduate with the greatest number of postsecondary choices from the widest array of options,” said Orquídea Largo, interim associate vice chancellor for student affairs.
For the next five years, the grant will help CEP offer students from 10 San Joaquin Valley high schools the opportunity to receive financial counseling and academic support to help prepare them for college. Those high schools are: Le Grand, Delhi, Livingston, Golden Valley, Fresno, Roosevelt, Edison, McLane, Corcoran and Farmersville.
More than 6,000 students have benefited from the program since its first grant from the U.S. Department of Education in 2006.
Students who participate in the program must meet federally outlined eligibility guidelines, including being citizens or nationals of the U.S., permanent residents of the U.S., and considered low-income and potential first-generation college students.
