Educational Talent Search Program, (ETS)
The Educational Talent Search Program, (ETS) was funded in October 2016 is a college preparatory program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The purpose of the program is to provide academic support services, college and career counseling as well as financial literacy to Petersburg Public School students in grades 6-12 and the GED Program. ETS encourages persons who have not completed education programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or reenter and complete postsecondary education. The goal of the VSU ETS program is to provide services that assist students in completing secondary school and enrolling in postsecondary institutions.
Participants will receive assistance and or participate in the following areas:
| After School Academic Tutoring | Academic Assessments |
| College & Career Exploration | Community Service Projects |
| Academic Advising | Group Guidance Workshops/Activities |
| Educational/Cultural Field Trips | Financial Literacy Workshops |
| College Visits/Tours | SAT/ACT Preparation |
| College Application Process | Financial Aid Planning & Workshops |
| ACT & SAT Fee Waivers | FAFSA Completion |
| Mentoring | Parental Engagement Workshops |
| Saturday Academy |
Flagway© Teams and Competition |
TRiO/ETS Schools Served
- Petersburg High School
- Vernon Johns Middle School
- Blandford Academy
Eligibility requirements
The VSU ETS program is FREE and participants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a Petersburg City Public School student
- Be enrolled in grades 6-12 or not more than 27 years of age needing help with re-entering a post-secondary school of your choice
- Are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (U.S. National; temporary or permanent resident of the U.S.)
- Qualify as a potential first-generation college student (parent does not have a 4-year degree)
- Meet income guidelines established by the Federal Government
- Other: a limited number of students who do not meet the above requirements may be selected based upon need of services.
- Complete an ETS Application
- Print and return to the ETS Office or School Counselor at your School.
Upward Bound Program
The Upward Bound Program is designed to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. The Upward Bound program serves high school students grades 9 through 12 from low-income families and families which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. These services provide fundamental support to participants in preparation for postsecondary education. The VSU Upward Bound Program serves 88 high school students from the cities of: Hopewell, Petersburg, and the counties of: Chesterfield (Matoaca district), Dinwiddie, Greensville, and Sussex.
The Upward Bound Program consists of two components: Academic Saturday Sessions and 5 or 6-week Summer Residential Program. Both programs are on the campus of VSI.
Virginia State University
Educational Talent Search Program
#3 Jackson Place, P.O. Box 9040
Virginia State University, Virginia 23806
804-524-5611 (office)
Staff
Gertrude Taylor, M. Ed.
Director
gtaylor@vsu.edu
Carnelia Hewlett
Associate Director
chewlett@vsu.edu
Rahmat Frimpong
Program Coordinator
rutsey@vsu.edu
Tyran Owens
After School Tutorial Coordinator
towens@vsu.edu