Melania Trump and Louisiana State University have established a $7.2 million endowment to provide permanent scholarships for students who have experienced the US foster care system.
The first lady announced the fund during a visit to LSU in Baton Rouge on Saturday, November 7, saying it would give young people “an anchor of stability, a strong educational foundation and a chance to build a wonderful life”.
MMR Group, a Baton Rouge-based electrical contractor, committed $5 million to launch the scholarship programme. A further $2.2 million was raised by 75 donors to the LSU Foundation, taking the endowment to $7.2 million.
LSU said the fund is expected to generate about $288,000 a year in perpetuity. The scholarships will support eligible students with the cost of attending the university, including expenses such as accommodation and food that can otherwise place higher education beyond reach.
LSU foster care scholarship fund
The endowment forms part of Mrs Trump’s Fostering the Future initiative, which was created in 2021 as an offshoot of her Be Best child welfare campaign. The programme links young people who have lived in foster care with scholarships and other support intended to help them become financially independent.
LSU became a partner institution earlier this year. The university said an initial commitment from Zoom is funding tuition, fees and books for 14 students who began receiving scholarships this autumn.
Fostering the Future now operates across 26 universities, supporting 100 scholars this semester. The University of Alabama, which has nine participating students, is also part of the programme.
LSU president Wade Rousse said access was a priority because “circumstances should not determine whether talent and ambition thrive”. He said students who had experienced foster care had already shown resilience and determination, and should not be prevented from pursuing a degree by factors outside their control.
Mrs Trump attended the LSU-Alabama college football game at Tiger Stadium after the announcement. The initiative was promoted across the campus and stadium, with Be Best branding on players’ helmets and uniforms and commemorative towels handed to fans.
She watched the game from an enclosed box and left during the fourth quarter, with Alabama leading 31-13. That remained the final score.
During the ceremony, Mr Rousse presented her with an LSU helmet bearing the Be Best logo and a jersey carrying her first name and the number 14, representing the number of LSU scholars currently enrolled through Fostering the Future.
