DURHAM, N.H. – Thanks to the renewal of a five-year grant of more than $550,000 from the U.S. Department of Education, the University of New Hampshire will continue to provide support to more than 1,160 low-income and first generation students in Granite State middle and high schools.

Educational Talent Search is one of the federal TRIO programs that also include Upward Bound, Student Support Services and the Ronald E. McNair program. It encourages low-income and first generation students to be successful in school and to continue on to higher education. The program provides a range of services for students in grades six through 12 including study skills, financial literacy, test preparation, career counseling, and assistance in applying for financial aid. Academic advisors live and work in every region of the state.

“This support has been available to students in New Hampshire for almost 50 years and it is important that we continue to work to make sure that all students have the opportunity to go to college,” said Debora McCann, director of ETS at UNH.  

McCann also recognized the support from New Hampshire’s legislative delegation in ensuring funding for the valuable program was renewed.

“I am very pleased that UNH is receiving this grant, which will allow it to support more than 1,000 Granite State students over the next five years,” said U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). “I have long fought to ensure strong funding for federal TRIO programs, including Educational Talent Search, because they provide critical resources to ensure low-income and first generation students in New Hampshire and across the country are able to succeed in higher education.”

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) added that “Educational Talent Search has opened doors for so many New Hampshire students, allowing them to achieve their dream of going to college, and I’m glad that they’ll be able to continue their important work with the assistance of the TRIO grant.”

“ETS provides Granite State students with instrumental tools to build the necessary foundation to pursue post-secondary education,” said U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta (R-N.H.). “As the first member of my family to graduate from a four-year university I know firsthand the uphill battle these students face, and there is no one better to aide these students than the ETS community here in New Hampshire.”

 “I am so pleased that UNH once again received a well-deserved Talent Search Grant from the Department of Education,” said U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.). “UNH’s continued hard work will open the door for many more Granite State students who might not otherwise have been able to pursue higher education, and I look forward to continuing to support their efforts.”