Start in High School
TRIO Talent Search can help you achieve your goals in high school & college
TRIO Talent Search is a federally-funded grant program that identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program provides academic, career, and financial counseling to its participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to the postsecondary school of their choice. TRIO Talent Search also serves high school dropouts by encouraging them to reenter the educational system and complete their education. The goal of TRIO Talent Search is to increase the number of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in the postsecondary education institution of their choice.
Location & Hours
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon. - Fri. KCC Riverfront Campus
Room L20B
Contact
815-802-8570
talentsearch@kcc.edu
Staff
Apply to TRIO Talent Search
You may qualify for TRIO Talent Search if you
- Reside in a home where neither parent has received a bachelor’s degree
- Live in a household that meets TRIO Talent Search income guidelines
- Have completed 5th grade and are at least 11 years old
- Would benefit from educational support to succeed in school at Kankakee High School, KJHS, or SACHS
- Have the desire to succeed in middle school, junior high or high school
- Possess potential and interest in pursuing a college education
To Apply
- Complete the Talent Search application online (Application available in Spanish, by choosing from the language options)
- To request a paper application, email talentsearch@kcc.edu or phone our office at 815-802-8570. You can return the application to your school guidance office or TRIO Talent Search staff.
TRIO Talent Search Office
Kankakee Community College
100 College Drive
Kankakee, IL 60901
Students & Parents
The program assists low-income, and/or first-generation, potential college-bound students in grades seven through twelve in the following schools: Kankakee High School, Kankakee Junior High School, St. Anne Community High School.
The program is administered at KCC through a U.S. Department of Education grant. Six hundred students are served in the TRIO Talent Search program each school year. All services provided by the program are free to all the student who qualify and are enrolled.
For a list of resources and updated info, visit our website at talentsearch.kcc.edu.
The KCC Upward Bound program is designed to improve students’ achievement in high school and prepare them for success in college. As a federally funded grant made possible by the U.S. Department of Education, Upward Bound Scholars are provided FREE support and services from the time they enter the program until they enter the college or university of their choice. Students also earn a small monthly cash stipend for their participation in events and activities.
Eligibility
- Attend Kankakee High School or St. Anne Community High School.
- Demonstrate potential for success in college.
- Have a sincere interest in going to college and completing a 2-year or 4-year degree program.
- Need academic assistance or other services to overcome barriers that hinder the continuation of an education after high school.
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States
- Family income and educational background of parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are considered for eligibility.
Contact us/Contáctenos
For more information, please email Upward Bound (upwardbound@kcc.edu) or contact a program coordinator.
Staff
Benefits of Joining Upward Bound
- Academic Preparedness
Achieve higher grades through:- In-person and virtual tutoring;
- Regular check-ins with staff;
- Academic preparedness workshops; and
- ACT, SAT & PSAT preparation.
- College/Career Readiness
Get a first-hand experience of what college will be like, including:- How to identify which college majors and career paths might be right for you;
- College campus visits;
- Information on funding your education;
- College Prep & Success Workshops;
- Assistance with college applications, scholarships, financial literacy, and FAFSA; and
- Professional job shadowing opportunities.
- Social-Emotional Learning
Enhance your personal development and well-being through sociocultural events, life skills workshops, community service opportunities, and other activities that encourage you to engage with others from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Commitment
- Academic Year Component
Throughout the academic year, Upward Bound Scholars are provided support and services designed to supplement course material learned in their high school, including additional instruction twice a month at KCC; group and individual tutoring; college visits; and educational/cultural field trips. Students are expected to participate in all activities and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA. - Summer Residential Component
Through a full six-week experience, Upward Bound Scholars develop awareness of college life. First, participants complete a 3-week summer enrichment program at KCC, including classes, college/career exposure, and other activities. In the final 3 weeks, students live and learn at Illinois State University while experiencing life as a college student! - Bridge Component
During the summer after high school graduation, eligible Upward Bound Scholars may enroll in up to two (2) KCC courses for college credit. Academic requirements apply.
Application & Admissions Process
Prospective participants and their parent(s)/guardian(s) must complete an application to begin the admission process. Students also can be referred by their principal, teachers, counselors and community members. Only complete applications with all necessary documentation will be considered. Upon receiving applications, KCC’s staff will contact potential candidates for interviews prior to program acceptance.
Stay informed - FREE Resources
Upward Bound Scholars learn the importance of staying informed, finding resources and knowing about relevant events. Options include:
- Upward Bound website
- The Upward Bound App - Download from your phone’s app store. Search for “Upward Bound at KCC.”
- The UB BEAT Newsletter
Schedule an Appointment
The Upward Bound staff is available to help with scholarships, the college application process, and more.
Dual credit courses are taught at selective local high schools or online by high school district teachers or KCC faculty. Students receive both high school and college credit for KCC-approved courses.
Getting Started
- Contact your high school to ask if it offers dual credit opportunities.
- Complete KCC’s online application. On the application, for student type, select “I want to take college classes while still in high school.”
Benefits of Dual Credit
- Earn both high school and college credit
- Save the cost of college tuition
- Gain access to and knowledge from higher-level coursework
Note: Credit awarded toward high school graduation is at the discretion of the student’s high school.
For more information, contact Kim Jeffreys at 815-802-8472 or kjeffreys@kcc.edu.
Students 16 years of age and older can enroll in college credit classes at KCC campuses while still enrolled in high school. Dual enrollment students must meet the same requirements as all other students in the class and earn college credit, not high school credit. KCC tuition charges apply.
Steps to Enroll
- Apply online with the student type of “I want to take college classes while still in high school.”
- Submit any ACT/SAT/GED test scores and/or high school and previous college transcripts to admissions@kcc.edu
- Take any required placement exam(s)
- Speak with an advisor to register for classes by contacting advising@kcc.edu or calling 815-802-8500
Benefits of Dual Enrollment
- Earn college credit early!
- Gain access to coursework not offered in high school
- Experience campus life
For more information, contact 815-802-8500 or advising@kcc.edu.
The Early College Program allows select, qualified juniors and seniors from area high schools to earn both their high school diploma and work toward a college degree by attending KCC full-time during their junior and/or senior year of high school. Participants are selected by their high school. Payment for the program is at the discretion of the high school district. For more information view the Early College Program Book (PDF, 1.2MB).
Getting Started
Contact your high school to ask if it participates in KCC’s Early College Program. If it does, work with your guidance counselor to complete required forms.
Benefits of the Early College Program
- Earn college credit early!
- Save the cost of college tuition
- Gain access to coursework not offered in high school
- Experience campus life
- Ease your transition from high school to college
- Receive support services
For more information, contact Laura Ryan at 815-802-8513 or lryan@kcc.edu