State Taking Donations For Foster Kids Scholarship Fund

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graduates23-6

The Michigan Department of Treasury is inviting everyone to contribute to the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund. The fund provides college scholarships to young adults who have experienced foster care and are enrolled at a Michigan college or university. Michigan Education Trust Director Robin Lott tells WSJM News kids in foster care face obstacles to higher education.

“Nationwide, about 75% expressed a desire to obtain a higher education, but less than 10% actually attend college, and less than 1% will not graduate without some type of help or assistance,” Lott said.

Awards are paid to assist with tuition, fees, room, board, books, and supplies.

“For the last three or four years, we’ve been able to provide $3,000 scholarships. It’s a one page application form that the student has to fill out. The qualifications are only that they were in Michigan foster care at the age 13 or above, and that they attend a Michigan college or university.”

Lott says with around 13,000 young people in the foster system at any given time, there’s always a need for contributions to the fund. They are tax deductible. Since 2012, fundraising efforts have totaled more than $1.2 million. You can learn more about the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund right here.