COEUR d'ALENE - A journey, even into higher education, can be overwhelming without a map.

That's Anna McElroy's take on her experience as a first-generation college student.

"No one in my family has been to college so I had no idea where even to begin," McElroy said. "To have a support group like ETS was incredibly helpful. The planning was definitely a huge part of it. I felt like I was way ahead of people who waited till their senior year to even think about making college applications."

ETS, Educational Talent Search, is a federally funded program that works with students from grades 6 through 12. Their purpose is to help low-income, first- generation college-bound students successfully prepare for and get into college, and to equip them to succeed there.

ETS currently has 710 participants in Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls.

McElroy graduated from PFHS in 2011, and is now at North Idaho College, majoring in music. She not only "got the application process down," but also earned a scholarship.

McElroy entered the ETS program in the sixth grade. "It just gets you thinking early on about what you're gonna do," she said. "They help you map it out - the financial aid and the application process."

University of Idaho/North Idaho College ETS recently honored its students who have moved on to college, and welcomed sixth- through 12th-graders just entering the program, at a barbecue on the lawn at University of Idaho Coeur d'Alene.

Renae Strouse, an ETS participant who graduated from LCHS in 2009, is now pursuing a college degree in the NIC/UI blended program in early childhood development. As a child, she had family members who struggled with alcohol and drug abuse.

"I didn't find support until I joined Alateen, which helps kids and teens who are going through that, or have gone through it in the past," Strouse said. "Even in the hardest times, my parents always cared about my education. They helped me doing homework and getting good grades."

Academic support was also available: Strouse heard about the ETS program in sixth grade. "I thought it was a cool idea and my parents were all for it, so I joined immediately," Strouse said. "ETS really gave me the kick to help me go to college. I've always wanted to be a teacher. ETS really helped me see that I had many options for college and for scholarships."

Both Strouse and McElroy now serve as outreach assistants for ETS, paying it forward.

"If I hadn't had them walking me through it, I would not have been able to get to college," McElroy said. "So if I can help other students like they helped me, it's a good day."

Donna Emert is with the University of Idaho Communications department.