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NEWS RELEASE
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY
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LANSING – Michigan's foster care youth are eligible to receive college scholarships following a Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund Fundraising Dinner in Kalamazoo organized by the Michigan Education Trust (MET) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
Friday evening's event at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo was attended by around 150 guests who raised approximately $39,375 for scholarships through MET, the Michigan Department of Treasury's 529 prepaid tuition program.
"Fostering Futures Scholarship fundraisers are about breaking down barriers for Michigan’s youth who have experienced foster care and demonstrating how compassion can turn into action, hope into reality and dreams into achievements," State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said. "I am inspired by our foster youth who overcome more challenges than most to obtain a certificate or degree. The money raised helps make the dream of college a reality for hundreds of Michiganders every year.”
A partnership between MET and MDHHS makes Fostering Futures Scholarships possible.
Close to 10,000 youth are in the Michigan foster care system run by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Nationally, fewer than 10% of former foster youth enroll in college after high school and fewer than 3% eventually earn a degree.
The Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund provides former Michigan foster care students who may not have adequate financial resources to attend college with a scholarship to a Michigan college or university. During the 2023-24 academic year, 441 students at 60 different institutions benefited from the scholarship.
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue the education and career path that is right for them,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “MDHHS is proud to be part of this program, which assists with tuition and fees, books and supplies, and room and board for students at a vocation school, apprenticeship or college.”
Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund is a Section 170(c) organization, so all contributions are eligible for an income tax deduction.
Anyone who could not attend the event can make donations to the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund by visiting www.FosteringFutures-MI.com. Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund is a Section 170 (c) non-profit organization. All contributions are eligible for an income tax deduction.
Since 2012, fundraising efforts have totaled more than $1.4 million, with funds awarded as scholarships in the year they were raised.
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