Melania Trump and LSU announce $7.2 million foster-care fund

Melania Trump and Louisiana State University announced a $7.2 million permanent scholarship endowment for LSU students who have experienced foster care, creating a continuing source of support funded by private donations.

The endowment will support the first lady’s Fostering the Future initiative, which provides scholarships and other resources to young people with foster-care experience. LSU said the fund is expected to generate about $288,000 a year. The university reported that 14 students are receiving scholarship support during the current fall semester.

The White House said MMR Group committed $5 million and additional LSU Foundation donors provided the rest of the endowment. LSU’s account also identified 75 additional foundation donors. The $7.2 million fund is designed to remain invested and provide scholarship support over time.

LSU said the new endowment could help cover room and board as well as education costs. Existing Fostering the Future scholarships at the university cover tuition, fees and books, according to LSU. The announcement did not specify how many students will receive awards from the new endowment or the amount of individual awards.