Fostering Futures Michigan Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Michigan Education Trust

Overview

The Fostering Futures Scholarship (FFS) supports Michigan students who experienced foster care on or after their 13th birthday and who demonstrate financial need. The program helps eligible undergraduate students cover college costs while they remain enrolled at participating Michigan institutions. Awards require ongoing financial-need documentation and adherence to institutional academic standards.

Description: The scholarship is targeted to former foster youth with documented Michigan foster-care experience and demonstrated financial need; it is administered through the MiSSG Student Portal and coordinated with FAFSA data.

• For Michigan residents who were in foster care at or after age 13
• Designed for undergraduate students without a bachelor’s degree
• Requires demonstrated financial need and institutional academic progress

Eligibility

Eligibility centers on foster-care history, residency, academic status, and financial need. Applicants must meet federal and institutional requirements, maintain at least half-time enrollment, and not hold a bachelor’s degree. Residency and citizenship or immigration status are also considered.

Eligibility: Applicants must file a current-year FAFSA, complete the FFS application, have Michigan foster-care experience on/after age 13, demonstrate financial need, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, be enrolled at least half-time as an undergraduate, meet SAP, be a Michigan resident as of July 1 of the previous calendar year, and be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or approved refugee.

• FAFSA and FFS application are required
• Must have been in Michigan foster care on/after age 13
• Residency confirmed via FAFSA; dependent students’ contributors must also be Michigan residents
• Enrollment must be at least half-time and SAP requirements apply

Application Process

An application is required and must be completed during the open enrollment period. Beginning with the 2026–27 cycle, eligible students need to apply only once; approvals remain valid if a FAFSA is submitted each year. Awards are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and priority consideration is given to applications submitted by the December deadline.

Application Timeline: The 2026–27 FFS application is available in the MiSSG Student Portal for students planning to attend in Academic Year 2026–27; submit by the December due date for priority consideration. Applicants will be notified if additional funding becomes available.

• Create a MiSSG Student Portal and submit the FFS application under "Scholarships and Grant Applications"
• Alternative application support is available by calling the Customer Care Center at 888-447-2687
• Awards are based on the first Michigan institution listed on the FAFSA; notify MI Student Aid of any change

Renewal Requirements

Renewal requires continued demonstration of eligibility each academic year. Students must maintain the same basic qualifications as initial applicants and meet institutional progress standards. Starting with the 2026–27 cycle, approved applicants do not need to reapply annually but must file a FAFSA each year to retain eligibility.

Renewal Requirements: To renew, students must file a current-year FAFSA, maintain Michigan residency, be undergraduates enrolled at least half-time, meet SAP, not hold a bachelor’s degree, and ensure their FFS application is current if required.

• FAFSA must be filed annually
• Maintain Michigan residency and half-time undergraduate enrollment
• Compliance with institutional Satisfactory Academic Progress is required