Overview

Rural Talent Search (RTS) is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education. It is one of the six outreach and support programs under the TRIO umbrella that assists low-income and/or first-generation college students to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs. The purpose of the program is to reinforce the school system’s efforts in assisting students to reach their academic potential, graduate from high school, and ultimately enroll in a post-secondary institution of their choice. There are 34 Talent Search Programs in Texas serving more than 24,000 students.

What Rural Talent Search (RTS) can do for students:

College Prep Workshops: Study Skills, Time Management, and College and Career Exploration	College Awareness: College Fairs, College, Career, and Cultural Field Trips	Career Exploration: Career Choices Curriculum, Career Key, Card Sort, Career Panels, and Job Shadowing
College Admissions: Assist students with the college application process	Financial Aid: Assist students with the financial aid process (FAFSA)	Scholarship Information: Assist students fill out local, private, and college/university scholarships

What RTS is doing for the San Marcos and Seguin students:

In 2007-2008, the RTS program assisted 93 high school seniors in San Marcos and Seguin to receive more than $1 million in scholarships.
In 2007-2008, the RTS staff dedicated more than 975 hours of one-on-one attention to assist high school seniors with the college admissions and financial aid processes.
In 2007-2008, 80 percent of RTS high school seniors enrolled in a post-secondary institution. *Typically, 80 percent of RTS seniors enroll in a post-secondary institution.
From 2006-2008, the RTS Program took 790 students on 28 college/career field trips.