Southwestern Community College TRIO Talent Search awarded $2.1 million in five-year federal grant renewal

CRESTON, Iowa - Southwestern Community College (SWCC) is pleased to announce its TRIO Talent Search program has been awarded federal funding for another five-year grant cycle, continuing the program through 2031.

The renewed grant will allow SWCC TRIO Talent Search to continue serving 875 students each year throughout rural southwest Iowa, providing free college and career preparation services to students in grades 6-12, as well as eligible individuals seeking to enter or return to postsecondary education.

"This funding means so much more than simply continuing a program," said Erica Frey, SWCC TRIO Talent Search director. "It means hundreds of students across southwest Iowa will continue to have someone in their corner helping them navigate high school, explore careers, understand financial aid, apply to college, and believe that education after high school is possible for them. We are incredibly grateful and excited to continue this work for another five years."

SWCC's Talent Search program works with students in the Bedford, Clarke, Creston, East Union, Lenox, Murray, and Southwest Valley school districts.

Through Talent Search, students receive academic and career advising, college campus visits, financial aid and FAFSA assistance, ACT preparation and fee waivers, tutoring, career exploration, college application assistance, scholarship information, financial literacy education, and other services designed to help students successfully graduate from high school and pursue postsecondary education.

The renewal is especially significant for SWCC because Talent Search has long been part of the college's commitment to expanding educational opportunities in rural southwest Iowa.

"Our staff has had the privilege of working with students for many years-often beginning in middle school and continuing through high school graduation and into college," Frey said. "Those relationships are what make TRIO so special. We get to watch students grow, overcome challenges, discover what they want for their futures, and then help them figure out how to get there."

Federal TRIO programs were established to increase access to and completion of postsecondary education for students who may face educational or economic barriers. Talent Search is one of several TRIO programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

With the new grant cycle beginning in September 2026, SWCC Talent Search will continue building upon its existing services while expanding college, career, workforce-readiness, and academic supports for participating students.

"We are thankful to Southwestern Community College, our partner schools, counselors, administrators, families, community partners, and everyone who advocated for TRIO and recognized the importance of these services," Frey said. "Most of all, we are excited for our students. TRIO Talent Search is here to stay in southwest Iowa for another five years, and we are ready to get to work."

About SWCC TRIO Talent Search
Southwestern Community College's TRIO Talent Search program serves 875 participants annually in southwest Iowa. The federally funded program provides academic, career, financial aid, and postsecondary preparation services designed to help eligible students successfully complete high school and pursue education beyond high school.

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