Talent Search Program

2005 Pre-Application Workshop

How Did We Get Here?

The Federal TRIO Programs are educational opportunity outreach programs

designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO
consists of seven (7) outreach and support programs targeted to serve and assist
low-income, first generation college, and students with disabilities to progress
through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs.
Under the Higher Education Act of 1964, Talent Search was the second TRIO
program created in 1965. The Talent Search (TS) Program identifies and assists
individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in
higher education. Talent Search also serves high school dropouts by encouraging
them to reenter the educational system and complete their education.

Graphic Depiction of the History of the TRIO Programs

This page provides a graphic depicting the history of the TRIO Programs. These
programs were enacted in response to the limited college access of first-generation
and low-income populations. Specifically, the TRIO programs attempt to address the
lack of motivation and skills that block access to postsecondary education. These
programs work in concert with the Title IV, Student Financial Assistance Programs,
which address the lack of financial resources for postsecondary education.

Talent Search (formerly Contracts to Encourage the Full Utilization of Educational

Talent), Upward Bound, and Student Support Services (formerly Special Services for
Disadvantaged Students) were enacted in 1965.

Educational Opportunity Centers, Veterans Upward Bound and Upward Bound

Math/Science began in 1972.

The Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs was enacted in 1976.

The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program was enacted in 1986.

The TRIO Dissemination Partnership Program began in 1998.

TRIO Legislation Highlights

Title IV – Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended

Chapter 1 – Federal TRIO Programs
Section 402A – 402H
–Combinations of Eligible Entities
–4 or 5-Year Grants
–Minimum Funding Levels
–Rank-Order Funding
–Multiple Applications – Different Target Schools in Target Area
–Coordination with Other Programs for Disadvantaged Students
–10 Technical Assistance Workshops
–Low-Income Documentation

http://www.ed.gov/programs/triotalent/legislation.html
Talent Search Program
Regulations
Title 34 CFR -- Part 643
•No NEW changes or revisions to the TS regulations.
•View or obtain a copy at the following Web site address:

http://www.ed.gov/programs/triotalent/legislation.html

What’s NEW?
•Electronic submission via Grants.gov
•75-Page Limit
•Mandatory objectives

Grantee Requirements

•Participant eligibility
–Two-thirds low income and first generation college student
•Minimum 600 participants per year
•Recordkeeping (participant files)
•Full-time project director unless a waiver is requested

Low-Income Individual

An individual from a family whose taxable income for the preceding year did not
exceed 150 percent of an amount equal to the poverty level determined by using
criteria of poverty established by the Bureau of the Census.

The Federal Low-Income Levels are updated each year.

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/trio/index.html#references

First Generation College Student

•An individual both of whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree; or
•In the case of any individual who regularly resided with and received support from
only one parent, an individual whose only such parent did not complete a
baccalaureate degree.
What Should Be in a Participant File?

•Proof of Student Eligibility

-Proof of citizenship.
-Copy of W-2 or filed tax forms; or
-Signed statement from parent to verify low-income status.
-Signed statement from parent to verify first generation status.
•Needs Assessment
-Use intake forms, standardized test, interest inventory forms and other
assessment tools to produce a documented needs assessment and a plan to
meet that need.

What Should Be in a Participant File?

•Services Provided
-List all services provided to and contacts made with each participant. These
services should be a part of the documented plan to meet the assessed needs
of the participant.

• Educational Progress
-Document the objectives achieved by the participant.
-Participant files must be kept by the project for three years after the project
performance end date.
-Participant files should be kept in a locked, secure location.

Program Goals
•To complete secondary school and undertake a program of postsecondary
education.
•To publicize the availability of student financial assistance.
•To encourage persons to reenter secondary or enter postsecondary education
programs.

Services Provided
•Academic, career, and personal counseling
•Tutoring and mentoring services
•Preparation for college entrance examinations
•Completion of college admissions and financial aid applications
•Activities designed for students with limited English proficiency

Services Provided
•Assistance with secondary school re-entry or entry into a GED program or other
alternative program
•Cultural events and postsecondary campus visits
•Counseling and workshops for parents
•Other allowable activities designed to meet the purpose of the TS program

Who is Eligible to Receive a Grant?

•An institution of higher education

•A public or private agency or organization
•A combination of institutions, agencies, or organizations (consortium)
•A secondary school under exceptional circumstances

Who Can Be Served?

United States citizens;

Permanent residents of the United States, Guam, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands,
Micronesia or Marshall Islands;

Anyone who has completed five years of elementary education, or is between the
ages of eleven and 27;

Those older than 27 can be served by TS if there is no EOC-Educational Opportunity

Centers Program in the target area; and

A veteran, regardless of age.

Application Process
•Submit application on Grants.gov
•Prescreening
•A panel of three reviewers, who are not federal employees, will evaluate the
application.
•The panel will prepare an evaluation of the application and assign points to each
selection criteria. The highest score an application may receive is 100.
•Scores from the three reviewers will be averaged to determine one numeric score for
the application.

Application Process

•Currently funded applicants are eligible to receive up to 15Prior Experience (PE)

points. If applicable, PE points are added to the numeric score of the application to
get a final score.
•Final scores are ranked in order, highest to lowest, on a funding slate.
•Applications are awarded down the funding slate until all funds are used.
•All awards are funded for four or five years. Applications that score in the top 10
percent will receive a five-year award.
2001 Talent Search Competition:

•Applications Received: 1152

•Applications Funded: 475
•5 Year Awards: 265
•First Time funded applicants: 118
•Cut off Score: 100

Questions and Answers:

Grant Writing Warnings

Applicants may not use federal funds to prepare an application.

This includes costs incurred to this attend pre-application workshop.

Federal funds may not be used to lobby.

Applicants who knowingly do business with someone who has been debarred face
the possibility of cost disallowances, grant termination, suspension and debarment
from federal government procurement and non-procurement transactions.

http://www.epls.gov/epls/servlet/EPLSSearchMain/1

Selection Criteria

Section Maximum Points

Need 24
Objectives 8
Plan of Operation 30
Applicant/Community Support 16
Quality of Personnel 9
Evaluation Plan 8
Budget 5
Total 100

Need for the Project

Maximum 24 points

Need

•A high number or percentage of low-income families in target area AND

•A high number or percentage of individuals in target area with education below the
baccalaureate level AND
•A high student dropout rate in the proposed target schools in the preceding three
years AND
•A low rate of enrollment into postsecondary education by target school graduates in
the preceding three years AND
•A high student to counselor ratio in target schools AND
•Unaddressed academic, social, or economic problems in the target schools or target
area
NOTE: Applicants must address the need in both the target area and in each target
school.

Need - Target Schools

Things to Consider:
•Number of Target Schools the TS project plans to serve
•Number of TS Eligible Students in each Target School
-We recommend that you serve a high percentage of TS eligible students in each
target school
•Adequate Staff to Efficiently Serve each Target School
-Time staff spends at each target school
-Time it takes staff to travel to each target school
-Staff travel cost from project site to each target school

Objectives
Maximum 8 points

Objectives

The Department has provided five Mandatory Objectives:

•MUST include all five Mandatory Objectives in your application.
•MUST provide the percentage that your project proposes to achieve each Mandatory
Objective.
•Five Mandatory Objectives MAY NOT be changed or rewritten in any way.
•YOU MAY include other process and outcome objectives, but not required. Points will
not be added or subtracted if additional objectives are included.
•The Objective selection criteria are worth eight points.
•All eight points will be applied to whether or not your objectives are ambitious but
attainable within each budget period and the project period given the project funds
and other resources.
•Applicant must provide comparative data to show why the percentage that your
project proposes to achieve each objective is ambitious but attainable.
Mandatory Objectives

1. School Promotion:
__ percent of non-senior participants to be served during each budget period will
be promoted to the next grade level at the end of the academic school year.

2. Secondary School Graduation:

__ percent of high school seniors (and their equivalents in alternative education
programs) will graduate from secondary school or receive a certificate of high
school equivalency during each budget period.

3. Student Financial Aid:

__ percent of “college ready” project participants will apply for financial aid
during each budget period.

4. Postsecondary Education Application for Admissions:

__ percent of “college ready” participants will apply to postsecondary school
during each budget period.

5. Postsecondary Enrollment:
__ percent of “college ready” participants will enroll in a program of
postsecondary school education during each budget period (or during the
next fall term).

College ready: a participant who: 1) is a high school senior; 2) is enrolled in

an alternative education program whose academic level is equivalent to a
high school senior; 3) is a high school graduate; or 4) has obtained a high
school equivalency certificate.

Enrolled: a participant who has completed the registration requirements and

who has started attending classes

Plan of Operation
Maximum 30 points

Plan of Operation

•Inform the residents, target schools, and community organizations of the goals,
objectives, and the eligibility requirements for participation in the project.
•Identify and select eligible participants without regard to race, color, national origin,
gender, or disability.
•Assess participant’s needs for services.
•Provide services that meet participants’ needs and achieve the objectives of the
program.

•Ensure efficient administration of the project including: management plan,

organizational structure, staff responsibilities, and a plan to efficiently serve students
at each target school.
General Education Provisions Act (GEPA)
(GEPA - Section 427)

•Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-382)

•Applies to all applicants seeking federal funding
•Six (6) types of barriers identified:
–Race
–Gender
–National Origin
–Color
–Disability
–Age

General Education Provisions Act (GEPA)

(GEPA - Section 427)

•Carefully read the provisions included in the application booklet

•Include in the Table of Contents
•Address in “Plan of Operation” section
•Must be presented as a separate narrative section
•Must be succinct, clearly identifiable and brief

Applicant and Community Support

Maximum 16 points

Applicant and Community Support

•Describe the facilities, equipment, supplies, and other in-kind and direct
contributions committed by the applicant.
•Describe the resources and other in-kind and direct contributions secured through
written commitments from schools, community organizations, and others.
•Summarize commitments in a list or chart.
•Do NOT include letters of support or commitment in the application.

Quality of Personnel
Maximum nine (9) points
Quality of Personnel

•Describe the minimum qualifications required of the project director and major job
responsibilities.
•Describe the minimum qualifications required of the other project personnel and
major job responsibilities.
•Describe the applicant’s plan to employ personnel who have succeeded in
overcoming barriers similar to those being served in the target population.
•Do NOT include resumes or job descriptions in the application.

Evaluation Plan
Maximum eight (8) points

Evaluation Plan
•Appropriately addresses the project’s objectives.
•Uses specific and quantifiable methods to measure the success of the project:
–Formative: progress made toward achieving objectives.
–Summative: achievements made at the end of the each program year.
•Provides for the disclosure of unanticipated outcomes including unattained
objectives and a plan to implement corrective measures.

Budget
Maximum five (5) points

Budget

•All NEW projects will receive a maximum of $220,000 for the first year.
•Current grantees will receive a maximum of $220,000 or 3 percent greater than
current funding (whichever is greater).
•Provide a budget summary and budget narrative for the first year only.
•Cost must be reasonable in relation to the objectives and number of target schools.
•Refer to “Part III First Year Budget Guidance” in application booklet.

Allowable Costs
•Transportation, meals, and if necessary, lodging for participation in authorized
activities.
•Purchase of testing materials.
•Fees for college admissions or entrance examinations if no waiver is available or if
paid to a third party.
•In-service training of project staff.
•Rental of building space, if not available at the site and if space is not owned by the
grantee.
•Purchase of computer hardware, software, or other equipment if necessary to meet
the objectives of the project.

Unallowable Costs
•Tuition, stipends, and other forms of direct financial support for participants.
•Fees for applying for financial aid.
•Research not directly related to the evaluation or improvement of the project.
•Construction, renovation, or remodeling of any facilities.

Questions and Answers

Program Assurances

•Two-thirds of students served must be low-income, first generation, potential college

students.
•Individuals receiving service from another TS project will not receive services under
the proposed project.
•Located in a setting accessible to the individuals proposed to be served by the
project.
•Will not use the TS project to recruit students to the grantee institution.

Formatting

•Include a Table of Content

•Narrative section limited to 75 pages
–Page limit does not apply to:
•Application Face Sheet
•Table of Contents
•TS Profile Form
•Budget Summary Form
•Assurances
•No Appendices
•Double-space all text in the application including titles and headings.
Single space
all text in charts, tables, figures graphs, footnotes, quotations, references, and
captions.
•Use a 12 point sized Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New or Arial font.
Exceptions for Electronic Submission

You may qualify for an electronic submission waiver if:

-You do not have Internet access
-You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to the Grants.gov system
If you are submitting a waiver, you must:
-Mail or fax a written statement to the Department explaining your need for a
waiver
-If mailing, your letter must be postmarked no later than two weeks before the
application deadline date

Exceptions for Electronic Submission

Submit all Electronic Submission Waivers to:

Geraldine Smith
US Department of Education
1990 K Street, N.W., Room 7000
Washington, DC 20006-8510
202-502-7857 fax

Applications will NOT be read if:

Closing date is not met;

75-page limit is exceeded; or

A paper copy is submitted without an approved Waiver of Electronic Submission

Questions and Answers

Grants.gov is IN!
E-Application is OUT!

What is Grants.gov?
www.grants.gov

•A NEW e-government initiative in the President’s Management Agenda - one of 24

government-wide e-Gov initiatives;
•A NEW portal for all federal grant customers; and
•A NEW way to FIND, APPLY to grants online.
–The FIND function is a single source for finding grant opportunities that helps
applicants locate and learn more about funding opportunities in a standardized
manner.
–The APPLY function is a single, secure and reliable source for applying for federal
grants online, simplifying the grant application process and reducing paperwork.

Applying
•Benefits the Applicant
–Multiple online help tools
–Confirmation messages online and via e-mail
–Collaboration possible by e-mailing Pure Edge package
•Uses downloadable electronic forms
–Work and save application offline and logon to submit
–Different from e-Application, where the applicant worked, saved, and submitted
online
•One-time registration process
–Can take five (5) or more days to complete
–E-Authentication – no faxing of forms to ED
–Register once and you can apply for all federal grants (not just ED)
•Future of electronic applications across the federal government

Getting Ready for Grants.gov

•Watch for grant opportunities posted on Grants.gov

–The FIND function will have information on how to apply in the announcement
–The APPLY function will have a link to the application

•Review ED Federal Register notices and application instructions carefully

–Note the due date AND time
–Note instructions for submission and whether electronic submission is optional or
mandatory

•Register - Complete the “Get Started Steps” for Grants.gov

•Download the Pure Edge Viewer

Tips to Submit Successfully

•Review Grants.gov submission procedures and tips

•Register early
–Do not wait for an opportunity to be published to register
–Begin working on an application while completing Get Started Steps
–Download the Pure Edge viewer from http://www.grants.gov to be able to
download the application package
–Confirm registration steps are complete
•Review application notices & instructions carefully
–Education accepts .doc, .rtf and .pdf file types
•Submit Early
–Submit with the correct DUNS number, the DUNS used in the Central Contractor
Registry (CCR)
•Verify submission is OK
REMEMBER:
To Register Early

•Grants.gov registration is a one-time process that may take five (5) or more days to
complete.
•You may begin working on your application while completing the registration
process, but you cannot submit an application until all of the Get Started Steps are
complete.

For detailed information on the Get Started Steps, please go to:

http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted

REMEMBER:
To Submit Early

•Do not wait until the last day to submit your application.
•Grants.gov will put a date and time stamp on your application after it is fully
uploaded.
•The time it takes to upload an application will vary depending on a number of
factors including the size of the application and the speed of your Internet
connection.

Important: If you start uploading your application before 4:30 p.m. Washington,
D.C. time on the application deadline date, and you do not finish uploading until
after 4:30 p.m., your application will be marked late.

REMEMBER:
To Verify Your Submission

•Verifythat Grants.gov and the Department of Education receive your Grants.gov

submission on time and that it was validated successfully.
•To see the date and time your application was received, login to Grants.gov and click
on the Check Application Status link.
•For a successful submission, the date and time received should be earlier than 4:30
pm on the deadline date, AND the application status should be: Validated, Received
by Agency, or Agency Tracking Number Assigned.

E-mail Confirmations

•You will receive a series of confirmations both online and via e-mail about the status
of your application.
•Do not rely solely on e-mail to confirm whether your application has been received
timely and validated successfully

MAC & Dial Up Tips

•Macintosh users
 –Need a Windows Emulator to use Grants.gov
•Dial Up Internet connections
–Uploading applications takes significantly longer than when using a high-speed
connection, e.g. cable modem/DSL/T1
–Can take a few minutes to a few hours to complete your grant submission using
a dial up connection (depends on the application size)
•Exception to mandatory submission
–See the Education submission procedures and tips and the Federal Register
notice
–Determine if you will need an exception to submit a paper application early

Important Application Issues

•If the date or time received is later than 4:30 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on the
closing date, your application is late.
•If your application has a status of “Received” it is still awaiting validation by
Grants.gov. Once validation is complete, the status will either change to “Validated”
or “Rejected with Errors.”
•If the status is “Rejected with Errors,” your application has not been received
successfully.
Some of the reasons Grants.gov may reject an application
can be found on the Grants.gov site:
http://www.grants.gov/assets/ApplicationErrorTips.doc.

Don’t Forget

You cannot submit an application until you have fully registered with Grants.gov.
Do not wait until the last day to submit your application. If you start uploading your
application before 4:30 p.m., Washington, D.C. time, on the application deadline date,
and you do not finish uploading until after 4:30 p.m., your application will be marked
late.
Do not rely solely on e-mail to confirm whether your application has been received
timely and validated successfully.
The application status of a successful submission is: Validated, Received by Agency,
or Agency Tracking Number Assigned.
If the status is “Rejected with Errors,” your application has not been received
successfully.

Grants.gov Customer Support

1-800-518-4726