Student Support

• Scholarships

  The FAME Scholars program at Michigan State University supports students who have experienced foster care, kinship care, homelessness, or independence before age 18. This scholarship is designed to promote academic success and provide essential support to students pursuing undergraduate degrees.

  Eligibility Requirements

  To qualify for the FAME Scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Have experienced foster care, kinship care, homelessness, or independence before age 18.
  • Be a current or accepted undergraduate student at Michigan State University.
  • Demonstrate financial need each year through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Have unmet financial needs in their aid package, as verified by the Office of Financial Aid.

  Scholarship Issuance

  Scholarship funding is awarded based on participation in FAME activities:

  • Participation Requirements: Students must participate in required FAME activities for a full semester (either Spring or Fall) to qualify for funding.
  • Funding Schedule: After fulfilling program requirements in one semester, students may receive up to $2,500 in scholarship funding for the following semester.
    • Example: If you meet program requirements in Fall 2024, you may receive the scholarship in Spring 2025.
  • Continued Eligibility: After receiving the scholarship for Spring 2025, students may become eligible for Fall 2025 funding by fulfilling program requirements again.
  • Award Limits: Scholarships are awarded once per semester, per eligible student, based on available funds.

  Student Responsibilities

  To maintain eligibility, students must:

  • Full-Time Enrollment: Maintain a minimum of 12 credits in both Fall and Spring semesters.
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress: Follow the Satisfactory Academic Progress guidelines as outlined by Michigan State University.
  • Compliance with University Policies: Adhere to the MSU Student Conduct Guidelines to remain in good standing. Any violations may result in the revocation of the scholarship.
  • Coaching and Mentoring: Meet with a FAME Coach and a mentor at least once per month.
  • Life Skills Workshops and Social Activities: Participate in one life skills workshop and one social activity per semester.

  Workshops and Activities

  • Life Skills Workshops: Focused on Casey Family Program’s 7 Life Domains model, these workshops address crucial areas like personal development, success, and well-being. Topics are designed for MSU students who have experienced foster care or similar situations.
  • Social Activities: FAME offers activities throughout the academic year to build community. Events include:
    • Fall Welcome
    • Mentor Connect
    • Fall Orchard Visit & Pumpkin Painting
    • Fall Harvest Dinner
    • End of Semester Survival Kits
    • Mystery Dinner

  Academic Documentation

  • Students are required to submit academic transcripts at the start of each semester to verify good standing.
  • Midterm grades must also be submitted to your life skills coach to track academic progress.

  How to Apply

  To apply for the FAME Scholarship, follow these steps:

  1. Complete the FAME Intake Packet: Fill out the form here
  2. Submit the FAFSA: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the 2024-2025 academic year. For assistance, contact the MSU Office of Financial Aid, phone: 517-353-5940 or email: finaid@msu.edu.
  3. Meet with a FAME Coach: Schedule an appointment with a FAME Coach by emailing fame@msu.edu. Meetings can be virtual or in person.
  4. Eligibility Verification: After your initial meeting, your FAME Coach will submit your student ID to the Office of Financial Aid to verify your scholarship eligibility based on your financial aid package.

  For more information about the FAME Scholars program and how it supports students at Michigan State University, please contact us at fame@msu.edu.

• Eligibility
  FAME is a resource center for foster youth alumni attending MSU as well as for youth who were in kinship care, have experienced homelessness, or are otherwise independent. FAME exists to provide support and resources to these students during their time at MSU to help them be successful during their collegiate experience on MSU's campus and during their transition to becoming MSU alumni.
• Coach Program
  FAME is excited to be partnering with the State of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to provide a new support program to eligible former foster youth on Campus! The Coach Program provides students with a Life Skills Coach who will work with them during their time as a college student. Life Skills Coaches are part-time staff or social work interns. Coaches meet with students at least monthly and work with students on developing and improving Independent Living Skills, navigating campus and university resources, and provide a support system to help them thrive as college students. Students in the coaching program are also matched with a mentor for additional support and guidance. For more information, contact Chiquita Whittington.
• Mentoring
  The FAME mentoring program matches current undergraduate FAME students with a volunteer mentor from the community. Efforts are made to match a student with a mentor currently employed in the student’s major or area of professional interest. Mentors and mentees form a relationship for a minimum of one year, averaging 4 hours of time commitment each month. The mentoring relationship consists of face-to-face meetings, in addition to telephone, email, and other social media mediums. Mentors serve as social, emotional and professional support for students as they navigate their academic, professional and personal goals on campus. Mentors are required to have a bachelor’s degree, be available for a minimum of 4 hours each month, complete an interview, reference and background check and participate in a mandatory training and orientation program. For more information or to learn about the process of becoming a mentor, email Ashley Hayden.
• Finals Week Survival Kits
  Each semester, during finals week we provide up to 40 FAME participants with a ‘Finals Week Survival Kit’. Each kit contains an assortment of personal care items, school supplies and snacks to help get them through the final push of the semester. Survival kits are gifted during a social event, offering the students a break from the stress and pressure of studying for exams and an opportunity to connect with their peers. Many of these students may not otherwise receive a care package or support and encouragement during the stress of final exams and this effort is successful not just because it meets a tangible need but because of the overwhelming emotional gratification and social support it provides to these students. Survival kits are 100% furnished through donated goods and funds. Many local religious organizations, on-campus departments, businesses and alumni groups regularly support this initiative. To find out how you or your group/organization can support this effort, contact Chiquita Whittington.
• First Year Success Program
  Sponsored by a private gift, the First Year Success Program offers support to a selected group of first year students from Detroit. Participants in the First Year Success Program receive individualized support from the FAME program including a life skills coach, mentor, and access to ongoing FAME supports and services. Additionally, each student will receive a Freshman Starter Kit (valued at $475) including bedding, school supplies, and all of the essential items needed for an incoming college student. To be eligible students must be an incoming freshman and have experienced foster care, kinship care, legal guardianship or homelessness and must be residing in Wayne County at the time of their admittance to MSU. To apply to be a First Year Success Scholar for the 2017-18 academic year, contact Chiquita Whittington.
• Monthly Life Skills Training
  Inspired by Casey Family Program’s 7 Life Domains model, The FAME Program offers monthly life skills workshops for students, highlighting a different life domain each month. Workshops are interactive, fun and informative and created specifically to address the needs of MSU students who have experienced foster care, kinship care, guardianship and homelessness. These trainings serve to help improve students’ knowledge and skill in particular areas that are crucial for healthy development, personal success and overall well-being.
• FAME Care Closet
  The FAME program furnishes a fully stocked care closet accessible to all eligible FAME students. The closet features personal care items, cleaning/household items, school supplies and some snacks/food items. Students are welcome to visit the FAME office during business hours and utilize needed items from the care closet. FAME regularly accepts donations of these items to keep the closet fully stocked. If you are interested in giving items to the care closet, contact Chiquita Whittington.
• FAME Student Activity Board
  The FAME Student Activity Board (SAB) was initiated in 2012. Students plan events, give input to FAME programming, and use advocacy and outreach to increase campus and community awareness of the program. SAB also provides leadership and public speaking opportunities for students. For more information or to get involved, contact Chiquita Whittington.
• Campus Champions

  Campus Champions are individuals in various campus departments who have agreed to be the contact person and advocate for FAME students. FAME Campus Champions ensure that FAME students get answers to their questions, enabling them to navigate campus better and access campus resources easier. FAME has Campus Champions in Financial Aid, Housing, Family Resource Center, Employment, Tutoring, and more!

  Campus Champions can be accessed from the FAME Student Services website or through a referral from FAME staff. To find contact information for a Campus Champion in a specific department, contact any of the FAME staff.