The Michigan Education Trust will host an annual fundraiser for its Fostering Futures Scholarship program next week.

Set for Wednesday at the Michigan Capitol lawn is the 13th annual Fostering Futures Scholarship Pizza Party. Everyone is invited to get pizza, watch some entertainment, and help support college-bound students who have experienced foster care.

Michigan Education Trust Director Diane Brewer tells us Fostering Futures is a way to help students coming out of foster care pay their tuition. They face more difficulties than most students.

“If you think about your own life, knowing where your home is, where your next meal is going to come from, and being able to support those in your family, these students have to find that support in other places,” Brewer said.

Brewer says 75% of foster students want to go to college, but only about 10% do. Of those, only about 10% will earn a degree. Fostering Futures is one of the ways anyone can help them get a little boost.

The average scholarship is $3,000, and Fostering Futures benefits anywhere from 300 to 500 students per year.

The pizza party will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18 in Lansing. However, if you can’t make it to Lansing, Brewer says anyone can support Fostering Futures anytime by donating online.