Melania Trump promotes scholarships for young people who grew up in foster care

First Lady Melania Trump will present a new college scholarship program aimed at young people who grew up in the foster care system—an initiative that seeks to expand their educational opportunities and facilitate their transition to independent living.

The project, developed in partnership with Louisiana State University (LSU), will have a permanent fund of $5 million, as announced by the White House in an official statement.

The initiative will benefit students who were in the U.S. foster care, through which minors who cannot remain with their biological families receive temporary care from foster families or authorized institutions.

According to The Associated Press (AP), the new fund will provide long-term college scholarships. Although the White House confirmed that the necessary $5 million has been secured, it did not specify the source of the funds.

A program to open opportunities for vulnerable youth

The initiative is part of Fostering the Future, the project spearheaded by Melania Trump to support children and young people who have been in the U.S. foster care system.

The goal is to reduce the difficulties many of them face when they reach the age of majority and leave state care, particularly in continuing their education, finding employment and achieving economic stability.

According to the AP, more than 20 universities and institutions of higher education are participating in the first lady's efforts to facilitate access to college education and other support resources.

In April, Melania urged Congress to expand assistance to those leaving the foster care system, warning of obstacles such as a lack of stable housing, transportation and financial resources.

"We can close this gap," the first lady said at the time, also advocating for the need to pass new legislation to protect these young people.

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The announcement will coincide with a major college football game

The presentation will take place in Baton Rouge, La., where the First Lady also plans to attend the college football game between the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

According to the information released by the White House, the campaign will have a presence in various areas of the campus and at Tiger Stadium before the game begins, with the aim of raise awareness of the program and the needs of young people from the foster care system.

President Donald Trump does not plan to attend the game, according to the AP.

An initiative backed by the Trump administration

The first lady's program is also part of a broader White House policy to improve opportunities for young people leaving the foster care system.

In November 2025, President Donald Trump signed the executive order Fostering the Future for American Children and Families, championed by Melania, which seeks to coordinate federal resources with universities, businesses and charitable organizations to expand access to scholarships, job training, housing and employment opportunities.

According to the White House, fewer than 5% of young people who leave the foster care system earn a four-year college degree, while approximately one in five experiences homelessness after leaving state care.

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