Our Mission: To recruit, retain, and graduate youth that have experience with the foster care system with the goal of post-secondary completion at GVSU.
We serve students who have experienced foster care or other out of home placements. Through campus collaboration we provide a supportive network to ensure student success on and off campus. Together we work to help students achieve their academic and personal goals.

Program eligibility:

• Are age 20 or under, and were eligible for Youth in Transition (John H. Chafee Independent  Living Act of 1999) funding when their foster care case was open (Foster care case may still be open)
• Have been in an eligible foster care or non-secure delinquency placement supervised by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) at age 14 or older.
• Currently enrolled at Grand Valley State University

Highlights:  Grand Valley has 200+ areas of study and a vibrant campus culture, you'll have a college experience that is as unique as you are. By the time you graduate, you'll be ready to give, to create, and to make a difference. That's the Laker Effect! With an average class size of 26 students, that means an even more personal, interactive, and rewarding classroom experience for you.
With student life programming, a variety of student organizations, annual traditions, diversity and inclusion resources, sustainability initiatives, and on-campus space to relax and socialize, you'll always have plenty of opportunities to enjoy college life outside of the classroom. Students at Grand Valley truly enjoy a vibrant campus life.

Click here to watch a video about GVSU's program, Fostering Laker Success!