Louisiana State University will use a new $7.2 million endowment to fund scholarships for students who have experienced foster care. First Lady Melania Trump and LSU announced the partnership Saturday in Baton Rouge as part of her Fostering the Future initiative.
How the fund was built
The White House announcement puts the endowment at $7.2 million. MMR Group, an electrical contractor based in Baton Rouge, committed $5 million. Other LSU Foundation donors contributed more than $2 million, according to the Associated Press. The White House had announced the initial $5 million commitment earlier in the week. Saturday’s figure reflects the larger fund.
An endowment is meant to support scholarships over time. The $7.2 million figure describes the fund itself. It does not tell an applicant how much an award will cover in a given semester or how many students will receive one.
What students will need to know
The announcement identifies the students the scholarship is intended to serve. The details that matter when making a college decision include how to document foster care experience, whether students apply separately for the award, when it becomes available, and what it covers. Prospective students should confirm those details with LSU before counting on an award in their budget.
Tuition is only one part of attending college. Housing, books, transportation, and other expenses can affect whether a student is able to enroll and stay enrolled. When LSU releases the scholarship terms, the distinction between a tuition award and aid that can also cover living expenses will matter to applicants deciding how much they can afford.
Private donations give LSU a way to support students beyond a single incoming class. The practical measure of the program will be whether eligible students can find it, apply without unnecessary hurdles, and understand how the award fits into their aid package. LSU’s application and renewal rules will show what that means in practice.
Related coverage. Read our reporting on the Penn State in-state tuition dispute for a separate look at how college affordability rules affect who qualifies for help.