The Ferris Youth Initiative was developed to increase higher education opportunities for young people who are alumni of the foster care system. A major objective of our program is to provide support that promotes success and general well-being of our participants throughout their undergraduate experience while attending Ferris. Pairing our participants with a faculty or staff mentor is one way of accomplishing this objective. Recipients of the FYI Scholarship will receive up to $4,000 per year, to be applied to any direct cost at Ferris State (tuition/fees, room/board, and/or books/supplies). Additional funds may be available during a student’s Jr/Sr. year. The FYI program is limited to 25 students.

Program eligibility/affiliation criteria:

Be accepted for admission to Ferris State University.

Be 23 years old or younger by the time you start classes at FSU.

Provide documentation to verify their foster care status.

Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Demonstrate unmet need, as determined by the FAFSA.

Be enrolled and attending classes on the Big Rapids campus.

Reside in University Housing for the first year in the FYI program