U of A Awarded $9 Million to Expand TRIO Talent Search Programs

The U of A has been awarded $9 million over five years to continue and significantly expand three TRIO Talent Search programs that help students prepare for, enter and complete postsecondary education.

The five-year federal investment will nearly double the number of middle and high school students served annually.

The university received notification of the awards from the offices of U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, U.S. Senator Tom Cotton and U.S. Senator John Boozman on Aug. 26, 2026. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Education in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor.

Beginning with the new grant cycle, the three programs will receive a combined $1.8 million annually and serve more than 3,600 students each year across 47 area schools. The previous awards totaled $1.1 million annually and supported 1,946 students. The new awards represent an annual funding increase of $677,276 - about 60% - and an additional $3.4 million over the five-year award period.

Annual student capacity will grow by more than 1,652 students, an increase of about 85%.

The federal investment advances the U of A's 150 Forward Reaching Higher priorities by expanding access and wraparound support for students while adding to the university's portfolio of externally funded work.

"This investment will allow the University of Arkansas to reach thousands more Arkansas students and families with wraparound services, information and experiences that make college feel possible and attainable," said Nathan Brown, executive director of Talent Search Programs. "We are grateful to our elected officials and our federal partners for recognizing the proven impact of TRIO Talent Search programs and helping us expand that impact across the region."

A Proven College-Access Model

Talent Search, housed in the Division of Student Affairs, is an early-intervention educational opportunity program serving students in grades 6-12 at partner schools. At least two-thirds of participants must be both economically under-resourced and potential first-generation college students.

Through college-preparatory workshops, one-on-one advising, campus visits, academic monitoring, career exploration, financial literacy, ACT readiness and assistance with college and financial-aid applications, Talent Search helps students complete a rigorous high school curriculum and build a clear path to a postsecondary credential.

The U of A first received Talent Search funding in 1991. In 2026, 523 Talent Search programs operated nationwide, including 13 in Arkansas and three based on the Fayetteville campus.

The university's three programs consistently exceed their funded service targets year after year and in 2025-26, served 2,091 students across 38 schools. Recent annual performance reports submitted to program sponsors documented high rates of student success:

• 100% high school graduation;
• 99% school persistence or promotion among participants;
• 79% college enrollment;
• 51% six-year postsecondary attainment;
• 80% Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion among seniors, with 92% of FAFSA completers enrolled in college that fall.

Career and college exposure were also central to the past year's programming, with 89% of participants taking part in Career-Readiness activities.

"Every student deserves the opportunity to discover their strengths, pursue their dreams and build a bright future," said Laura James, assistant vice chancellor for student support. "We are grateful for this generous investment in the university's Talent Search programs, which will expand college access and make a lasting difference for young people, their families and our communities."

The university's TRIO Talent Search programs previously partnered with 38 schools through a six-county area of Northwest Arkansas and southwest Missouri.

The newly funded grants will enable programs to expand services into one additional Arkansas county and nine newly added target schools.

"Engaging in Arkansas' public schools and communities and improving access to college is an important part of our institutional commitment to student success, and TRIO Talent Search is a leader in college readiness outreach," said Jeremy Battjes, vice chancellor for the Division of Student Affairs.

The university's Talent Search grants consist of the following:

• Educational Talent Search serves 21 schools across Benton and Washington counties, including: Decatur Middle School, Decatur High School, Gentry Middle School, Gentry High School, Greenland Middle School, Greenland High School, Lincoln Middle School, Lincoln High School, Lingle Middle School, Oakdale Middle School, Rogers Heritage High School, Rogers Academy of Leadership & Innovation, J.O. Kelly Middle School, Sonora Middle School, Helen Tyson Middle School, Lakeside Junior High School, George Junior High School, Southwest Junior High School, Don Tyson School of Innovation, Har-Ber High School and Springdale High School.
• College Project Talent Search serves 10 schools across Crawford and Sebastian counties, including: Cedarville Middle School, Cedarville High School, Mountainburg Middle School Brain Academy, Mountainburg High School, Butterfield Trail Middle School, Van Buren Freshman Academy, Van Buren High School, Darby Middle School, Kimmons Middle School and Northside High School.
• University Access Talent Search serves 16 schools across Carroll and Madison counties, Arkansas, and McDonald County, Missouri, including: Berryville Middle School, Berryville High School, Eureka Springs Middle School, Eureka Springs High School, Green Forest Middle School, Green Forest High School, Huntsville Middle School, Huntsville High School, St. Paul Schools, Anderson Middle School, Pineville Elementary School, Noel Elementary School, Rocky Comfort School, Southwest City School, White Rock School and McDonald County High School.

With an expanded reach across 47 schools in seven counties, the U of A's TRIO Talent Search programs will build on more than three decades of collaboration to provide students and families with sustained, locally responsive college-access support. As the new grant cycle begins, program staff will work alongside continuing and new partner schools to tailor services to their communities and create pathways to postsecondary success for thousands of students.

About the Division of Student Affairs: The Division of Student Affairs supports the whole student by cultivating transformative experiences and environments that promote student well-being, a sense of community, and success. We prioritize student well-being, post-graduation preparedness, and building a strong organizational culture. For more information, visit studentaffairs.uark.edu.