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Melania Trump Announces $7.2M Scholarship Endowment for LSU Foster Care Students
· Confirmed
In Short: First Lady Melania Trump announced a $7.2 million endowment for scholarships at LSU for students who were once in foster care.
Melania Trump (Wikidata P18).
Melania Trump announces $7.2M LSU scholarship fund for students who were in foster care. WWLTV
At a highly anticipated LSU football game, First Lady Melania Trump announced a $7.2 million endowment to support the Foster the Future scholarships for LSU students who experienced foster care.
During the announcement ceremony, Mrs. Trump emphasized the importance of education for foster care students, stating, “There is nothing more powerful we can give a young person than a world-class education.”
LSU President Wade Rousse highlighted the endowment's potential to generate approximately $200,000 annually, helping students cover tuition, fees, books, and room and board.
Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron presented Mrs. Trump with a commemorative football, while LSU cheerleaders gave her a jersey emblazoned with “Melania” and the number 14, representing the number of students receiving Fostering the Future scholarships.
Mrs. Trump noted that there are currently 14 scholars at LSU and nine at the University of Alabama, part of a group of 100 students supported across 26 schools this semester.
The National Foster Youth Institute reports that only about 50% of foster youth graduate high school, and only 3% graduate college with a bachelor’s degree.
The endowment aims to provide long-term support for eligible students, ensuring that financial circumstances do not prevent talented young individuals from receiving an education.
In April, Mrs. Trump urged Congress to expand support for people in foster care, calling new legislation “a moral imperative.”
The Fostering the Future initiative was launched in 2021 to expand educational and career opportunities for young people who have been in foster care.
What this adds
The endowment advances the Fostering the Future initiative, which provides academic scholarships to prepare students for entry-level jobs and financial independence.
Background
First Lady Melania Trump announced a $7.2 million endowment for scholarships at LSU for students who were once in foster care.
What's confirmed
- Before a highly anticipated football rivalry, First Lady Melania Trump from Louisiana State University Saturday announced $7.2 million to establish a permanent endowment supporting the first lady’s Foster the Future scholarships for LSU students who experienced foster care.
- First lady Melania Trump announced scholarships in partnership with her Be Best and "Fostering the Future" initiatives Saturday at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
- Melania Trump on Saturday announced a multimillion-dollar partnership between Louisiana State University and her "Fostering the Future" program to provide scholarships for LSU students who came through the foster care system.
- There are 14 scholars under the program at LSU and nine at Alabama, she said, part of a group of 100 students supported across 26 schools this semester.
- The first lady’s attendance at the game came after the White House announced she had secured a $7.2 million scholarship endowment for LSU through her Fostering the Future initiative Melania Trump was met with a mixed reaction while attending a Louisiana State University (LSU) football game this weekend.
- “While most eyes will be on the athletes, I encourage you to recognize LSU’s Fostering the Future scholars who are just as remarkable,” Trump said.
- Trump and LSU secured more than $7 million in private donations to create an endowment fund for the scholarships, the White House said.
- Last November, the first lady spearheaded an executive order signed by the president linking the federal government, colleges and universities, the private sector and charitable groups to create educational and employment opportunities for those in foster care. She also created "Fostering the Future Together," a global version of the program with more than 45 participating countries.
- "A great education does more than prepare someone for work life. It gives something no one can ever take away. There is nothing more powerful we can give a young person than a world-class education," said First Lady Melania Trump.
- OAN Staff Katherine Mosack 1:00 PM – Saturday, November 7, 2026 First Lady Melania Trump has partnered with Louisiana State University (LSU) to establish a $7.2 million permanent endowment fund to support Fostering the Future scholarships for students who were previously in foster care.
What's still developing
- Chafee Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood, the nation’s primary program dedicated to supporting youth from ages 14 to 23 who are transitioning out of foster care.
- The endowment includes a $5 million commitment from MMR Group, a Baton Rouge-based electrical contracting company, and an additional $2.2 million raised through other LSU Foundation donors, according to a statement from the university.
- Instead, the endowment is intended to help eligible students for generations to come.
- READ: Indian American student Adithi Garood wins first Future of Architecture Scholarship (December 30, 2025) “That one small act repeated by enough men of your generation will close the gap that no policy has been able to close,” she said.
- The foster care program was being featured across the campus as well as on the field at Tiger Stadium just before kickoff, the White House said.
Sources
- East Wing Magazinelink
- Fox Newslink
- Newserlink
- Peoplelink
- The Reveille, LSU's student newspaperlink
- The Well Newslink
- WAFBlink
- Ksllink
- Miragenewslink
- Americanbazaaronlinelink
- Oannlink
- Kmphlink
- Yellowhammernewslink
- PBSlink
- WarpBeat — background on Melania Trump Announces $7.2M Scholarships for Former Foster Care Students at LSU link
- WWLTV — video link