Educational Talent Search – (or ETS) – is a program funded by the U.S. Department
of Education that helps middle school and high school students gain the knowledge
and skills needed to graduate from high school and enroll in college. Two-thirds of
ETS participants must be from economically disadvantaged families in which neither
parent has earned a bachelor's degree, while the other third of participants can be
anyone. Each year the ETS program at IHCC provides services to 500 middle and high
school students in the Ottumwa Community School District and Cardinal Community School District.
Services provided by ETS include, but are not limited to:
• group workshops on topics related to academic success and college enrollment;
• course selection guidance and advising;
• one-on-one personal advising;
• financial aid, FAFSA and scholarship information;
• college entrance exam prep;
• connections to academic tutoring;
• college admission application assistance;
• assistance with career exploration;
• parent workshops and summer workshops for students;
• college campus visits and cultural event field trips.
ETS is free for all students accepted in the program. Most services are provided at
the student’s school during normal school hours.
To be eligible to participate in ETS, students must be enrolled in grades 6-12 at Cardinal Middle School and High School, Evans Middle School or Ottumwa High School. Additionally, the student must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States and must complete the ETS student and parent application.
ETS activities are designed to promote a supportive educational climate and to help increase persistence, high school graduation, completion of rigorous high school courses, college enrollment and college degree attainment.
Educational Talent Search Newsletter
Applying for ETS Services:
To apply for ETS services, students and their parent or guardian should work together
to complete the ETS Application. Completed applications can be submitted to school counselors or the ETS Student
Success Coach. Most students are considered for ETS admission in the fall, but applications
are accepted year-round.
| Parent's Application |
| Parent's Application - Español |
| Student's Application |
| Online Application |
Contact Us:
Mariah Nichols, Director, Pre-College TRIO Programs
Upward Bound and Talent Search
Indian Hills Community College
525 Grandview Avenue
Ottumwa, Iowa 52501
Phone: (641) 683-5111 x1828
Email: [email protected]
Jessica Cain, Student Success Coach
Evans Middle School & Liberty Elementary School
Indian Hills Community College
525 Grandview Avenue
Ottumwa, Iowa 52501
Phone: (641) 684-6511 ext. 6914
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Ashley Hobbs, Student Success Coach
Ottumwa High School
Indian Hills Community College
525 Grandview Avenue
Ottumwa, Iowa 52501
Email: [email protected]
Kim Schwartz, Student Success Coach and Tutor
Evans Middle School + Cardinal Middle/High School
Indian Hills Community College
525 Grandview Avenue
Ottumwa, Iowa 52501
Phone: 680-5431
Email: [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected]