Participant Eligibility Criteria

An individual is eligible to participate if they meet the following requirements:

• Be a US citizen or permanent resident*
• Be a permanent resident of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau)
• Be a resident of the Freely Associated States—the Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of the Marshall Islands
• Reside in Kent or Muskegon county 
• High school seniors and beyond
• Be at least 19 years old**
• Be first-generation – neither parent has a bachelor’s degree or higher
• Identify as low-income
• Express a desire to enroll, or continue in a program of postsecondary education, and requests information or assistance in applying for admission to, or financial aid for, such a program
• A veteran, regardless of age, is eligible to participate

*Or in the U.S. for other than a temporary purpose and provides evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service of their intent to become a permanent resident.
**If the services of a Talent Search program are not available in the target area, persons under 19 may be served. We anticipate a larger focus on adults 25 years and older.