Melania Trump, LSU announce $5 million foster-care endowment

Melania Trump and Louisiana State University announced a $5 million endowment for scholarships for LSU students who have experienced foster care, during a pregame ceremony before the LSU-Alabama football game in Baton Rouge on November 7.

The endowment is part of Trump’s Fostering the Future initiative, which supports educational opportunities for young people who grew up in foster care. Trump attended the game and spoke at the ceremony announcing the fund. LSU and university-related accounts described the endowment as permanent.

LSU President Wade Rousse said 14 LSU students are Fostering the Future scholars. He said the endowment will cover their room and board, in addition to tuition, fees and books. The reports did not provide details on how the fund will be administered or distributed, or how many students may receive scholarships in the future.

The East Wing said MMR Group committed $5 million to the fund, with additional contributions from LSU Foundation donors. The reporting does not explain whether those additional contributions are included in the $5 million endowment figure.

One report described the scholarship achievement as $7.2 million, while other accounts put the...