About Educational Talent Search

Educational Talent Search (ETS) is a federally funded college preparation program designed to encourage students to be successful in high school & assist them in entering & completing an educational program following high school graduation. ETS is a FREE planning and resources service for students who are interested in continuing their educationn after high school. ETS assists with academic support, college & career exploration & selection, as well as financial aid.  

ETS is designed to identify low-income, first-generation potential college students and encourage them to complete secondary education and undertake a program of postsecondary education.

The program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Education and has been hosted at Minnesota State University, Mankato since 1985. It serves students grades 6-12 from 15 target schools in the south-central Minnesota area.  

 

Objectives

  • Enhance students' personal, cultural, social and academic awareness and development.
  • Assist students with early career and educational planning.
  • Create awareness of career and educational opportunities.
  • Inform and educate participants about postsecondary educational requirements.
  • Provide support and preparation assistance for college readiness testing, such as the ACT.
  • Inform students about the availability of financial aid for postsecondary educational opportunities and assist in the process of securing such aid.
  • Provide enrichment opportunities to further the potential of students.

 

Benefits of ETS

 

How to Get Involved

Six hundred ninety-four students from 15 schools in south central Minnesota participate in the Minnesota State University, Mankato ETS program. The students range from grade 6 to grade 12. ETS serves students from families in which neither parent has completed a four-year degree (first generation potential college students) and/or families living on limited incomes, meeting all of the federal eligibility guidelines. Two-thirds of all participants must meet both criteria. Check with your counselor for an application or apply through our website.

 

Who We Serve

Six hundred ninety-four students from 15 target schools in South Central Minnesota participate in the ETS program. The students range from grades 6 to 12.

schools we serve
Schools Served
Grades Served
Blue Earth
8-12
Butterfield-Odin
7-12
Fairmont High School
7-12
Mankato East
9-12
Madelia
7-12
Maple River Middle & High School
6-12
Mountain Lake
7-12
New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva
6-12
Prairie Winds
6-8
St James
6-12
Sleepy Eye Public
7-12
Truman
7-12
United South Central
7-12

*LIMITED SERVICES TO LAKE CRYSTAL WELLCOME MEMORIAL AND JANESVILLE-WALDORF-PEMBERTON FOR STUDENTS PREVIOUSLY SERVED

 

Meet the Team

Learn more about the ETS Team and find their contact information.

For general assistance, please reach out to the the ETS office:

 

PROGRAM FUNDING 

The Educational Talent Search program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education ($400,397 for the 2023-24 program year) and by Minnesota State University, Mankato.

 

FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about Educational Talent Search. See the most common topics and more.