Just days remain in 2025 to support Michigan foster youth through Fostering Futures Scholarship Fund

With only a few days left in 2025, Michiganders still have a powerful opportunity to change the trajectory of students who have experienced foster care by making a year-end donation to the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund.

As the year comes to a close, the impact of giving has never been greater. Earlier this month, the Michigan Department of Treasury announced significant enhancements to the Fostering Futures Scholarship, expanding both the level and flexibility of support available to eligible students beginning in the 2026-27 academic year.

"These changes reflect our commitment to reducing barriers and expanding access to higher education for Michigan's foster youth," said Diane Brewer, executive director of the Michigan Education Trust (MET) at the Department of Treasury, which oversees the Fostering Futures Scholarship program. "It has been wonderful to see the Fostering Futures Scholarship grow every year in public support and in the number of youth we've been able to positively impact."

Program enhancements include:

• Increased annual awards of up to $5,000, up from $3,000, including $2,000 for tuition and up to $3,000 for other cost-of-attendance expenses.
• A one-time application valid for six years, reducing administrative barriers for students.
• Expanded eligibility to include summer semesters, allowing students to stay on track year-round.

In 2025, Fostering Futures scholarships helped students across Michigan remain enrolled and continue progressing toward degrees - often while juggling work, housing responsibilities and limited family support.

Among them is Rebecca Yager, a Delta College student and Fostering Futures Scholarship recipient who is on track to graduate in 2027. For Yager, the scholarship helped stabilize her college journey and allowed her to focus on academics rather than whether she could afford to stay enrolled.

Recent examples of other scholarship recipients include:

• Raymond Miller, a senior at Western Michigan University, who is preparing for a career in aviation operations. His fascination with airports began during his first airplane trip as a young man, when navigating terminals and runways sparked a lifelong passion that continues to guide his academic path.
• Ov'Var'Shia Gray-Woods, a former Fostering Futures Scholarship recipient who credits her experience in foster care with shaping her future. Rather than leaving her disheartened, the experience ignited a passion to improve the system from within. She graduated in December 2024 with a Master of Social Work from Wayne State University.

For these students, the Fostering Futures Scholarship often provides the difference between dropping out and staying on track. The scholarships help cover tuition, housing, books and other essential expenses that make college completion possible.

With just days remaining before the Dec. 31 deadline, donations made now will directly support students in the upcoming academic year and may qualify donors for 2025 state and federal tax deductions.

Miss the deadline? Contributions to Fostering Futures are accepted year-round, and donations made in January or later will still support Michigan foster youth pursuing higher education and count toward the 2026 tax year instead.

To learn more or to donate, visit Fostering Futures Scholarship.

The Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund, administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury, provides college scholarships to youth who have experienced foster care in Michigan. Since its inception in 2012, the program has awarded more than $1.4 million in scholarships. Funded through community donations, sponsorships and events, the scholarships help cover tuition, housing, books and other college-related expenses at Michigan degree-granting institutions.