To be eligible for Fostering Laker Success, you must be accepted to Grand Valley State University. Have experienced foster care after the age of 14 and are younger than 23. And agree to actively participant in program activities.Fostering Laker Success works in partnership with the student. We develop goals and outline the steps to achieve those goals. Students are required to:  

•  Meet with coach 1x a week
• Attend 1 FLS event per month
• Meet with mentor 4x per month

For additional questions please contact Brandy Thompson, M.A, Independent Living Skills Coach for Fostering Laker Success; [email protected] or 616-331-8864.

Fostering Laker Success Participant Application - Apply For Program

Becoming a mentor to program participants is a great way to get involved with Fostering Laker Success. Mentoring is a proven to produce positive outcomes for both mentors and mentee. As a mentor you will serve as a campus connector, helping students navigate campus, access certain resources, but most importantly you will serve as supportive adult on Grand Valley’s Campus.

“The weekly meet-ups I had with …my mentor was super helpful. I am grateful for the academic support and pushing me to become more outside of school!” - FLS participant

Prior to becoming a mentor, you will receive specialized training that will help you better understand working with youth who have experienced foster care. The state of Michigan also has some wonderful resources for mentors who work with youth that have experienced foster care.

• Meet one on one with students enrolled in the program 4 hours a month minimum
• Complete 8 hours of specialized training
• Be willing to submit to background check
• Sign confidentiality agreement
• Complete electronic interaction reports

        Interested applicants can contact the Program Coordinator Brandy Thompson, [email protected] 

Alison McManus Walters ’73 Fostering Success Scholarship provides financial assistance to foster youth and ensure that financial need does not become a barrier to intellectual and personal growth while pursuing a degree at GVSU.

The Donald J. DeYoung Scholarship fund is designed to assist young people who have had contact with the Family Division of the Circuit Court and are interested in pursuing college or vocational education. Students may attend the educational institution of their choice.

The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) is an annual federal grant provided to states to fund youth who have aged out of the foster care system and who are enrolled in college, university and vocational training programs. Students may receive up to $5,000 a year based on their cost of attendance.

The Fostering Futures Scholarship (FFS) provides eligible youth who have experienced foster care with scholarship funds for tuition, fees, room/board, books, and supplies/equipment required for enrollment.

Foster Care to Success (FC2S) partners with organizations, foundations, and individuals to deliver scholarships to foster youth across the country. With this funding and our support, hundreds of young people reach their educational goals every year.

Fostering Success Michigan (FSM) is building a statewide network through a collective-impact strategy that strives to prepare young people in foster care between the ages of 12 to 25 across the state of Michigan for success in higher education and beyond. Their website organizes resources based on life domains, educational stage, or your current role.

Foster Youth in Transition (FYIT) funds are available to cover expenses not covered by other government or community resources, or to augment or supplement services from other funding sources.

Gay/Lesbian Adoptive/Foster Parent Scholarship Win a $750 scholarship–$500 towards your tuition and $250 towards living expenses.
We’ll also give a $250 donation to an adoption or foster-related non-profit organization.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation Scholarships, has been a major scholarship provider in Kent County, awarding more than $1 million every year to hundreds of students pursuing a higher education.

Grand Valley State University Scholarships

Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative’s (MYOI) goal is to ensure that young people in foster care have successful outcomes in housing, education, employment, community engagement and health. MYOI provides youth boards, community partner boards, training, financial matches, and stipends.

MiSSG Student Portal For students to have access to the MiSSG Student Portal, they must have a current-year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file (typically received 3-4 days after submission) or have a Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) record.  First time student users must have their Social Security number when signing up to create a username and password.

The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) will award a minimum of four (4) $2,000 scholarships for the year. The unrestricted funds will be awarded once proof of post secondary education as been provided.

The National Foster Parent Association offers scholarships to NFPA members whose birth, foster and US adopted youth wish to further their education beyond high school, including college or university studies, vocational/technical school or junior college.  

Replenish, provides food and personal care items to meet the short-term challenges that students may face when unable to purchase such items. Replenish is located in Kirkhoff 0074.

The Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) is an incentive program that encourages eligible students to complete high school by providing tuition assistance for the first two years of college and beyond.

 UMPS CARE Charities All-Star College Scholarship is for children adopted later in life in order to provide a college education to students who otherwise might not be able to afford one.