Ferris Youth Initiative (FYI) Scholarship
The Ferris Youth Initiative was developed to increase higher education opportunities for young people…
Ferris State University has a long history of finding ways to help young people with limited resources obtain a top-flight education. We have proudly built on this history to create the Ferris Youth Initiative Johnson Scholars, which supports young people who are alumni of foster care.
Dave and Patsy EislerIn 2019, Ferris State University President, David Eisler, and his wife, Patsy Eisler, created a $700,000 endowment to support the Ferris Youth Initiative Johnson Scholars program, formerly known as the Ferris Youth Initiative.
Mission
The Ferris Youth Initiative Johnson Scholars program positively impacts the lives of youth who are alumni of foster care and who attend Ferris State University. The program is designed to provide support and learning opportunities throughout the student’s academic career by incorporating academic success, character development, and positive approaches to their holistic well-being.
Goals/Purpose
The Goals of the Ferris Youth Initiative Johnson Scholars program are:
To help students successfully complete college degrees;
To provide dedicated academic guidance and support services;
To help build character and life skills in preparation for the world of work;
To provide specialized mentoring by faculty and staff; and
To help students develop effective coping strategies for greater confidence and success.
Program eligibility/affiliation criteria:
• Be accepted for admission to Ferris State University.
• Meet critera as required by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
• 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.
Highlights of majors, programs, departments, and activities: Ferris has the fewest number of large classes among Michigan’s 15 public universities, with only 1 percent of classes having more than 50 students. This allows for more direct contact with faculty, more hands-on learning and experimentation and greater student engagement. More than 50 percent of Ferris classes have fewer than 20 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 16-to-1. The University has at least 140 degrees that align directly with in-demand occupations in the categories of business, finance and management; administrative and clerical; computer science and engineering; social service; education and training; health care practitioners; health care technology and support; protective service; and construction, production and repair. With more than 180 degrees from associate to Ph.D., Ferris collaborates with industry partners to assure your education is relevant, preparing you for a rewarding professional life.
The Ferris Youth Initiative was developed to increase higher education opportunities for young people…
Fostering Success Michigan is a program of Educate Tomorrow that aims to increase access and success in higher education and post-college careers for youth with experience in foster care. Learn how you can contribute to building a holistic network that insulates (i.e., strengthens protective factors and reduces risks) the education to career "pipeline."
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