TAMUK
Texas A&M University- Kingsville
TALENT SEARCH
New Student Application
Federal TRiO Program
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education
Please note that all applications are accepted for review regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender or
disability (U.S. Dept. of Education -GEPA Section 427).
Directions: Print clearly in ink and answer all questions.
Remember your parent/guardian’s signature is required.
Please submit your completed application to your school counselor OR mail or fax your complete application to:
Texas A&M University-Kingsville Talent Search Program
MSC 181, 700 University Blvd. Kingsville, Texas 78363
Phone (361) 593-4500 or (361) 593-4587 or Fax (361) 593-2494
PART 1 - STUDENT APPLICANT INFORMATION (To be completed by the student):
Date:
Name:
Social Security #:
School ID #:
Email Address:
School:
Current Grade Level:
Mailing Address: Street and Apt. No.
City
State
Home Phone Number:
Alternative Phone Number:
Date of Birth:
Citizenship:
 United States Citizen
Zip
Age:
or
Gender:
 Male
 Female
 Permanent Resident - Please attach a copy of your card with this application.
Ethnic Background: ____ African American or Black ____ American Indian ____ Asian/Pacific Islander ____ Hispanic ____ White
____ Other ___________________________________________________________
What are you favorite school subjects?
What are your least favorite school subjects?
What grades do you usually get?
What classes (if any) do you think that you will need tutoring in?
What extracurricular activities are you involved in?
blac
What college or university do you plan to attend?
What do you plan on majoring in?
What type of degree do you plan to obtain? You can check more than one.
 Undecided
_____ High School Diploma
_____ Vocational
or Technical School Certificate
_____ 4 Year College Degree
_____ Masters Degree
 Undecided
 Undecided
What kind of career or job would you like to have?
How did you find out about Talent Search?
Who do you live with?
____Mother & Father
____ Father
____ Mother
______ Doctoral Degree  Undecided
____ Guardian
 Undecided
 Undecided
___ Other
Name of Guardian if you do not live with one of your parents:
What language is spoken at home?
____ English
____ Spanish
____ Other______________________
__________________________________________
RELEASE OF SCHOOL RECORDS
I authorize the Talent Search Project of Texas A&M University-Kingsville to access and/or receive copies
of my academic transcripts, grade reports, report cards, TAKS scores, and any other academic information and test results necessary to
complete the program’s application process.
_____________________________________________
Student’s Signature
__________
Date
Student’s Name: ______________________________________
Social Security #: _______________________________
School: _____________________________________________
Current Grade: ____________________
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. §1232g, and the Texas Public Information Act, Texas
Government Code §552.001 et seq., are respectively federal and state laws providing for the review and disclosure of student
educational records. The University and Outreach Programs-TRIO and GEAR UP will not permit access to or the release of
personally identifiable information contained in student educational records to any party without the written consent of the student,
except as authorized by FERPA.
Page 2
Personal Essay
The personal essay is an important part of the selection process. In a 250 or more word essay, please discuss a person or
persons and/or events in your past that have encouraged or influenced you to go to college.
1.) Please turn in PART 1 of the application (pages 2-4) to your school counselor or the TS Advisor for your school.
2.) Give Part 2 of the application (TS Recommendation Form) to one teacher or one counselor at your high school.
Remind your teacher or counselor to mail or fax these forms to our office as soon as possible.
3.) Give Part 3 of the application (TS Parent Application) to your parents. Please return this to your school
counselor or the TS Advisor for your school as soon as possible.
Page 3
4.) You will be contacted after we received your completed application which must include Parts 1-3.
PART 2 – ETS RECOMMENDATION FORM (To be completed by Teacher or Counselor)
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Talent Search Program
MSC 181, 700 University Blvd.
Kingsville, Texas 78363
Phone (361) 593-4500 or (361) 593-4587 or Fax (361) 593-2494
Teacher/Counselor Recommendation Form
Dear Teacher/Counselor:
The student listed below is applying for admission into the Talent Search (TS) Project of Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Your assessment of the student’s conduct, character, and potential for postsecondary enrollment is an integral element in
the selection process. Please provide us with your assessment of this student’s desire and ability to attend college after
high school. Please mail the completed Recommendation Form to the above address or fax to (361) 593-4182. You may
also return the completed Recommendation Form to the student in a sealed envelope to submit with his/her completed
student application. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at (361) 593-4500 or (361)
593-2286. The time and effort you have taken to complete this form is sincerely appreciated.
Student’s Name
Grade Level
School __________________________
Class/Course Subject: _________________________________ Current Class/Course Grade
Please place an "x" in the appropriate column for each characteristic listed below:
STUDENT CHARACTERISTICS
N/A
EXCELLENT
AVERAGE
FAIR
POOR
ABILITY TO MAINTAIN A 2.75 GPA OR HIGHER
LEVEL OF MATURITY/INTEGRITY
CITIZENSHIP & LEADERSHIP SKILLS
INITIATIVE /WILLINGNESS TO LEARN NEW THINGS
MOTIVATION/DESIRE TO ATTEND COLLEGE
Please provide comments on motivation, behavior, personality, strengths or weaknesses that you feel are pertinent to the
student’s participation in the Talent Search Project. Additional comments may be written on the back.
___________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Teacher’s/Counselor’s Printed Name & Title
School Telephone Number
Teacher’s/Counselor’s Signature
Date
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. §1232g, and the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Governme nt Code §552.001 et seq.,
are respectively federal and state laws providing for the review and disclosure of student educational records. The University and Outreach Programs-TRIO
Page 4
and GEAR UP will not permit access to or the release of personally identifiable information contained in student educational records to any party without the
written consent of the student, except as authorized by FERPA.
Page 5
PART III – TS PARENT APPLICATION (To Be Completed by Parent/Guardian):
TAMUK
Talent Search Program
MSC 181, 700 University Blvd.
Kingsville, TX 78363
Fax (361) 593-2494
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Your child has expressed an interest in participating in the Talent Search (TS) Project of Texas A&M UniversityKingsville. TS is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and sponsored locally by Texas A&M University- Kingsville
and provides free college, career, and financial aid information to high school students each year. TS identifies students
who demonstrate an interest or desire to attend college and provides them with the motivation and support to enroll in a
program of postsecondary education (college, university, technical or vocational school) after high school graduation .
Talent Search encourages and prepares students for postsecondary enrollment by providing assigned students in
grades 9-12 with the following services and activities through group workshops and individual appointments held at
designated target schools:







Academic Advisement
College Awareness Activities
Career Exploration Activities
Financial Aid Awareness Activities
Scholarship Information
College & Career Field Trips
Individual Assistance with College Admissions, Scholarship Applications & Financial Aid Forms
In order to be eligible for selection as TS participants, students must meet the following criterion:
 Be a U.S Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien;
 Be at least 13 years of age and in grades 9-12;
 Commit to remain in the TS Project until HS graduation;
 Demonstrate an interest or desire to attend college.
Please complete this part of the application and return it to the address or fax number listed above. You may also
return it to your child’s school counselor. All completed applications will be reviewed and eligible applicants contacted
within 14 days regarding their status.
Thank you for your interest in the Talent Search Project. Please call us at (361) 593-4500 or (361) 593-4587 if you have
any questions or need additional assistance.
Sincerely,
Mary L. Gonzalez,
Assistant Vice President, Special Programs
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. §1232g, and the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code §552.001 et seq., are
respectively federal and state laws providing for the review and disclosure of student educational records. The University a nd Outreach Programs-TRIO and GEAR
UP will not permit access to or the release of personally identifiable information contained in student educational records to any party without the written consent of
the student, except as authorized by FERPA
Page 6
PART III – TS PARENT APPLICATION (To Be Completed by Parent/Guardian):
Student’s Name:
School & Current Grade Level:
Mother’s Name:
Father’s Name:
Mother’s Address:
Father’s Address:
Mother’s Home Phone Number:
Father’s Home Phone Number:
Mother’s Cell Phone/Pager Number:
Father’s Cell Phone/Pager Number:
Household and Income Information:
 No
 Yes
1.
Has either parent received a 4-year degree from a college or university?
2.
Number of people living in your household? ________
3.
What is your household’s Annual Taxable Income* for the previous year? ______________________
Please note that Taxable Income is usually lower than Adjustable Gross Income which is located at the bottom of the
first page of most tax forms. Annual Taxable Income can be found on second page of most tax forms.
Please call 361-593-4500 or 361-593-4587 if you have any questions or need assistance locating this information
I certify that the all the information provided above is correct and true to the best of my knowledge.
_____________________________________________
Parent’s Signature
__________
Date
RELEASE OF SCHOOL RECORDS
I authorize the Talent Search Project of Texas A&M University-Kingsville to access and/or receive copies of my student’s
academic transcripts, grade reports, report cards, TAKS scores, and any other academic information and test results
necessary to complete the program’s application process.
_____________________________________________
Parent’s Signature
__________
Date
Student’s Name: ____________________________________
Social Security #: _______________________________
School: _____________________________________________
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. §1232g, and the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code §552.001 et seq.,
are respectively federal and state laws providing for the review and disclosure of student educational records. The Universi ty and Outreach Programs-TRIO
and GEAR UP will not permit access to or the release of personally identifiable information contained in student educational records to any party without the
written consent of the student, except as authorized by FERPA.
Page 7
Page 8