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Maine Educational Talent Search Student Application

METS is sponsored by the University of Maine's College of Education and Human Development.

Thank you for your interest in Maine Educational Talent Search. METS is a federally funded TRIO program initiated by the United States Department of Education and the United States Congress to help encourage first generation qualified students (grades 5-12) access higher education. Educational Talent Search grants are funded entirely by the US Department of Education. The grant award for 2025-2026 is $640,981. METS services help students explore college and career opportunities. All METS services are free. Completion of this application does not guarantee acceptance in the METS program.

Fill out the form below to apply for METS services. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are required. If you have any questions or difficulty with this form, please contact the METS advisor for your school. Click here to view contact information for our METS advisors.

NOTE: There are 32 questions on this form. Please be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom and answer all required questions, and include your signature.

APPLICANT INFORMATION
* 1. First Name
2. Middle Initial
* 3. Last Name
* 4. Date of Birth
5. Gender
* 6. Mailing Address
* 7. City
* 8. State
* 9. Zip Code
10. Home Telephone
11. Parent Cell or Work Telephone
12. Student Email Address
13. Parent Email Address
* 14. Current Grade
15. Do you have a sibling in METS?
* 16. School
* 17. Do you identify yourself as Hispanic or Latino?
18. If no, check all that apply:
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
Black or African American
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
White
* 19. Please select your citizenship status:
U.S. Citizen
Permanent Resident of the U.S.
In the United States for other than a temporary purpose, and provides evidence from INS of intent to become a permanent resident
Permanent Resident of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau)
Resident of the Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of the Marshall Islands
None of the above
HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION
20. With whom do you live?
21. Household #1
Parent / Guardian First Name:
Parent / Guardian Last Name:
Relationship to student:
Mailing address (if different from above):
City:
State:
Zip Code:
22. Household #2 (if more than one):
Parent / Guardian First Name:
Parent / Guardian Last Name:
Relationship to student:
Mailing address (if different from above):
City:
State:
Zip Code:
EDUCATIONAL GOALS
23. What are your plans after high school (check all that apply):
Two Year College
Four Year College
Technical School
Military
Other (please specify):
24. What knowledge and skills would you like to work on with your METS advisor (check all that apply)?
Study Skills
Career Awareness
Paying for College
College Choice
Tutoring
College Application
Test Taking Skills
Course Selection
Goal Setting
Mentoring

METS is required to verify that our participants meet federal criteria based on educational background and household income level. This information is required of all applicants. METS and the University of Maine ensure that all information provided will be held in confidence. Please complete all items.

Please indicate the highest education level completed by each of your natural or adoptive parents. Please do not indicate educational levels for stepparents, grandparents or legal guardians.
* 25. Parent One - Highest Education Level:
26. Parent Two - Highest Education Level:
27. Number of family members in your home (including yourself)
28. Is your family currently receiving SNAP benefits?
29. Is your family current receiving TANF?
It is a federal requirement of the METS program to verify the family's taxable income. Please select your taxable income range below. Please do not use total income. Taxable income is the amount of income subject to federal and state tax, after deductions and exemptions. Please reference line 15 on your most recent Federal 1040 Form. Some examples of income to NOT include: Child Support, Non-taxed Social Security Benefits, State and Federal Assistance, and/or other Non-Taxed income. All information on this application is held in the strictest confidence.
* 30. Taxable Income Range:
 
31. Referred to METS By:
32. Do you have any questions that you'd like us to answer?
SIGNATURE

I/We certify that the information provided on the application is true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge. I/We authorize the use of my image in METS publications and media releases to the METS program. I/We authorize the release of school records and free lunch records to the METS program. All information provided on this application will be held in confidence by the METS program. I/We understand that if I need accommodations for a disability to participate in METS, or any of its scheduled activities, I must contact the Director of Maine Educational Talent Search at 207.581.3736 at least 30 working days prior to the activity. I/We understand that providing false or inaccurate statements on this application may result in removal from METS.
Student Signature

Use your mouse (or your finger or stylus, if on a mobile device) to sign this application in the space below. If you need to erase the signature and start over, click the Erase Student Signature button.
Parent or Guardian Signature

Use your mouse (or your finger or stylus, if on a mobile device) to sign this application in the space below. If you need to erase the signature and start over, click the Erase Parent/Guardian Signature button.

Application Submission

Click the button below to submit this application.

The University of Maine System is an equal opportunity institution committed to nondiscrimination.

Completion of this application does not guarantee acceptance in the METS program.