FSU PANAMA CITY’S TALENT SEARCH PROGRAM RECEIVES $5 MILLION FUNDING

Florida State University Panama City’s TRIO Educational Talent Search Program recently received an award of $1 million from the U.S. Department of Education, the first portion of a new grant that will fund the program at $5 million over five years.

“Educational Talent Search is one of the federal TRIO programs funded by the DOE,” said Melinda Wilson-Jones, director of Pre-Collegiate Programs for FSU Panama City. “The program is designed to increase access to post-secondary education for students who may face barriers to college enrollment and completion.”

Talent Search works primarily with middle and high school students by providing academic support, college and career exploration, financial aid and financial literacy assistance, campus exposure, and support with the transition from high school into post-secondary education.

The new grant is $5 million over the five-year grant cycle, from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2031. Under the new grant, FSU Panama City’s Pre-Collegiate Programs will serve 2,000 middle and high school students annually across eight school districts, including Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Leon, Liberty and Washington counties in Florida. That represents about 10,000 student service opportunities over the five-year grant period.

“Previously, our Talent Search grant served approximately 500 students annually in Bay, Holmes, Franklin and Leon counties with an annual budget of $288,470,” Wilson-Jones said. “The new award increases our annual reach from 500 to 2,000 students and expands the program into additional Northwest Florida communities.”

This program provides FSU Panama City an opportunity to significantly increase students’ access to academic preparation, college and career exploration, financial aid assistance, mentoring, campus experiences, and other resources that help prepare them for education and career training after high school.

“This $5 million federal investment is an extraordinary opportunity to expand educational access and transform possibilities for thousands of students across Northwest Florida,” Wilson-Jones said. “Our goal is not simply to encourage students to go to college. We want to prepare them to succeed by helping them understand what is expected of them academically, exposing them to college and career possibilities, connecting them with resources, and giving them the confidence and support to pursue their goals.”