Fostering Futures Michigan Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Michigan Education Trust
Description
Description: The Fostering Futures Scholarship (FFS) provides financial assistance to Michigan students who experienced foster care on or after their 13th birthday and who demonstrate financial need. It supports undergraduate students who do not hold a bachelor’s degree and who meet program and institutional enrollment requirements. The program is administered through the MiSSG Student Portal and coordinated by MI Student Aid. Applicants must complete the FAFSA to establish need and residency for award consideration.
- For Michigan residents who experienced foster care on/after age 13.
- Requires FAFSA to verify financial need and residency.
- Available to undergraduates without a bachelor’s degree.
Eligibility
Eligibility: To qualify for FFS, a student must have been in Michigan foster care due to abuse or neglect on or after their 13th birthday and must demonstrate financial need via the current-year FAFSA. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, enroll at least half-time at a participating institution, and meet the institution’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy. Residency requirements include Michigan residency since July 1 of the previous calendar year; if a student is dependent, the FAFSA contributor(s) must also be Michigan residents. Eligible immigration statuses include U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or approved refugee, and there is no maximum age limit.
- Foster care in Michigan on/after age 13 and financial need required.
- Undergraduate status, half-time enrollment, and SAP compliance required.
- Michigan residency is verified through the FAFSA.
- File a current-year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Complete the FFS application prior to the deadline.
- Have been in Michigan foster care due to abuse/neglect on or after the 13th birthday.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Possess a high school diploma or recognized equivalent.
- Enroll at least half-time at a participating institution.
- Be an undergraduate student and not have a bachelor’s degree.
- Meet the institution’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.
- Be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year.
- If a dependent student, the contributor(s) on the FAFSA must also be Michigan residents.
- Residency will be confirmed based on the FAFSA.
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or approved refugee.
- Not be in default on a federal student loan.
- There is no maximum age restriction for the student.
Application Process
Application Process: A Fostering Futures Scholarship application is required and must be completed during the open enrollment period. The 2026–27 application is available in the MiSSG Student Portal; applicants should submit by December 31, 2026 for priority consideration, and awards are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Starting with the 2026–27 cycle, eligible students will generally only need to apply once; approved applications remain valid provided the student files a FAFSA each year. Awards are based on the first Michigan institution listed on the FAFSA, and students must notify MI Student Aid if they change their college choice.
- Apply via the MiSSG Student Portal or by phone.
- Priority consideration requires timely submission (Dec 31, 2026 for AY 2026–27).
- Awards are first-come, first-served and tied to the first Michigan institution on the FAFSA.
- Online
- Create a MiSSG Student Portal.
- Submit a Fostering Futures Scholarship application under "Scholarships and Grant Applications."
- Phone
- Contact the Customer Care Center at 888-447-2687 to complete the application by phone.
Awards are assigned based on the first Michigan institution listed on the FAFSA. Students are responsible for notifying MI Student Aid of any change in college choice via the MiSSG Student Portal or by calling 888-447-2687.
Renewal Requirements
Renewal Requirements: To renew the Fostering Futures Scholarship, students must continue to file the current-year FAFSA each year and maintain the program’s eligibility criteria. Renewing students must remain Michigan residents, be enrolled at least half-time at a participating institution, meet the institution’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy, and maintain undergraduate status without a bachelor’s degree. Approved applications remain valid as long as the student files the FAFSA annually; students should confirm renewal steps and deadlines through the MiSSG Student Portal.
- File the current-year FAFSA each year to maintain eligibility.
- Maintain Michigan residency and meet SAP requirements.
- Remain an undergraduate and enroll at least half-time.
- File a current-year FAFSA.
- Complete any required FFS application steps as instructed for the award year.
- Maintain Michigan residency.
- Be an undergraduate student and not hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Enroll at least half-time at a participating institution.
- Meet the institution’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.