For students who want to pursue higher education but have the odds stacked against them, ISU Educational Talent Search provides them with academic assistance.

And the program that aids 1,200 Iowa middle and high school students received good news last June — its $1 million TRIO grant was renewed for another four years.

“That money helps … serve the students with materials and information, opportunity to visit colleges, ACT and SAT test waivers,” said Kurt Roberts, high school adviser for Educational Talent Search (ETS). “Basically, it funds our whole program.”

Roberts said that of the students involved in the program, two-thirds will be first-generation college students. Also, the majority of the students have larger families, so “they may have trouble” affording college tuition, he said.

Roberts said ISU ETS works with 13 high schools and three middle schools across Iowa.

He said the participants in the group are chosen by an application-and-recommendation process.

According to a press release, some of ETS’s services include academic assistance in completing college admission and financial aid applications, preparing for college entrance exams, preparing for general education development and career counseling.

Roberts said ETS, whose members visit the schools regularly, helps students understand that it is possible for them to attend college and achieve personal goals.

Lisa Traufler, middle school adviser for ETS, said the best part about ETS is that one can see the students make progress.

“Our program opens up a lot of thoughts,” she said.

Traufler said she visits the schools twice a month as part of the program.

Although many students choose to attend ISU, Roberts said the program is not a recruiting tool. He said the program provides students with information about a variety of schools, including two-year colleges and trade schools.

Since the competition for grant money is tough, Roberts said he was elated when he heard that ETS would continue for another four years.

“We can continue serving the students,” he said.

The TRIO grant also funds the McNaren program and ISU’s Student Support Services.