Grant program prepares students for life after high school
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Educational Talent Search is a free federal grant program that educates students in grades 6-12 about college readiness and career options as they prepare for life after high school.
Brandi Koscho, assistant director of ETS at Washington State Community College, said the program is funded through the Department of Education and free to the participants.
"The goal of the program is to provide information, resources, and really accessibility to students so that they are aware of their college and career options," Koscho said.
She said ETS has advisors who visit 740 students in Belpre, Caldwell, Eastern Local, Fort Frye, Frontier, Marietta, Meigs County, Warren, and any students who attend the Washington County Career Center or WSCC.
"We go out, and do different activities with the kids. We talk about career options, we talk about college options, and that includes everything as far as what colleges are available, what programs are available at those colleges, the application process," Koscho said. "We offer application fee waivers, so, those students don't have to pay those application fees."
Students in the program said their advisors are very active in the process.
"ETS is a very involved program. They're a really helpful program," said Aidan Klingler, a senior at the career center. "They'll help you with applications and scholarships. They're very involved, and concerned, and caring."
Kylee Wendelken said they have helped her get accepted by two universities on a scholarship already and that they even help with things outside of school.
"They'll text you and just ask about how your day has been, they're very nice people," Wendelken said. "They're just like family."
Koscho said ETS also helps with written recommendations for college, scholarship applications, they help with the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and other paperwork students may need to file for college.
"We host a FAFSA night so students can actually bring in their parents, and we'll sit with them, go through the FAFSA, and help them complete it," Carrie Ramage, ETS advisor for Warren, Morgan, Belpre and Eastern Local, said. "The same with college applications. We sit down with them one-on-one, help them through the whole process."
The students in the program said ETS even helps them with things that are not academic such as social interactions and self esteem.
"I think it's good for mental health, too," Klingler said.
Wendelken agreed and said she knew a few people who entered the program who were struggling mentally.
"And now they're so happy," Wendelken said. "Because they know somebody cares about them."
Koscho said many of the students look to them as one of their guidance councilors and they stay in contact even after graduation.
"Some of them reach out on their own via Facebook, or Instagram, or even shoot us a text message, to keep us updated," Koscho said. "We get invited to graduation parties. There's a lot of students that we develop relationships with, and those continue after they graduate high school."
Students interested in the program can pick up information from their school's guidance councilors, through ETS social media sites, or visit their home office located at WSCC.