U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the Department of Education has awarded $5,411,597 in Educational Talent Search Program grants to Alabama Community Colleges. 

“Investing in the education of young Americans is of primary importance,” said Shelby.  “These grants will help advance some of Alabama’s brightest students from disadvantaged backgrounds to ensure that young people who have the potential to succeed in institutions of higher learning have the opportunity to do so.” 

Of the $5,411,597 awarded, the following institutions received funding:

• $629,380 to Alabama Southern Community College
• $314,436 to Alabama State University
• $314,962 to Bevill State Community College/ Walker
• $257,769 to Bishop State Community College
• $321,964 to Central Alabama Community College
• $314,319 to Faulkner University
• $578,601 to Gadsden State Community College
• $334,385 to George C. Wallace Community College/Selma
• $260,206 to George C. Wallace Community College/ Sparks
• $230,000 to Jefferson State Community College
• $466,413 to North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence
• $486,872 to Northwest Shoals Community College
• $256,146 to Southeast Alabama Education Outreach Center
• $303,243 to University of South Alabama
• $342,901 to Wallace State Community College/ Hanceville

The Educational Talent Search Program 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 and complete their postsecondary education.  The program publicizes the availability of financial aid and assists participants with the postsecondary application process.  The program also encourages persons who have not completed education programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or reenter and complete postsecondary education.