Melania Trump Partners With IndyCar to Launch New College Scholarships for Foster Children

First lady Melania Trump is expanding her efforts to help children in foster care, announcing a new round of college scholarships through a partnership with IndyCar and several major universities.

The initiative brings the Trump administration together with IndyCar, Indiana University and Purdue University to provide additional educational opportunities for foster children. The universities will join 24 other schools already participating in Melania Trump’s foster-care scholarship efforts.

The announcement comes ahead of Sunday’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix, the historic IndyCar race scheduled to take place through the streets of Washington, DC. Melania Trump is expected to attend the race alongside President Trump, with the first couple participating in an honorary lap around the course before competition begins.

IndyCar also created a special red, white and blue racing helmet for the first lady to commemorate the partnership. The helmet features Melania Trump’s name along with references to her “Be Best” and “Fostering the Future” initiatives.

The scholarship program is aimed at addressing the significant educational challenges facing young Americans who grow up in foster care. Marc Beckman, Melania Trump’s senior adviser, said only about 3% of people who have been in foster care ultimately complete some level of college education.

Melania Trump has made improving those outcomes a major part of her work as first lady. “Fostering the Future,” which operates as part of her broader “Be Best” initiative, focuses on expanding educational opportunities and other resources available to children who have experienced the foster-care system.

Importantly, officials say every dollar raised through the new partnership will go toward scholarships. Beckman said there will be no administrative or marketing fees deducted from the money, with funds going directly to participating universities to finance the scholarships.

The scholarships will be awarded based on merit and will be available to foster children who meet the program’s requirements. By partnering directly with universities, the initiative is designed to give recipients a clearer pathway from foster care into higher education.

Melania Trump has also been pushing Washington to devote additional resources to foster children. She has lobbied Congress for increased support, while President Trump has signed an executive order directing additional federal resources toward Americans in the foster-care system.

Her efforts have expanded beyond traditional scholarships as well. Melania Trump has worked to provide foster children with access to Trump Savings Accounts and has brought together spouses of international leaders to discuss issues involving children’s education, well-being and online safety.

The IndyCar partnership gives that campaign another high-profile platform. With the Freedom 250 bringing professional racing to the heart of Washington, Melania Trump is using the event to draw attention to a program designed to turn foster children’s educational opportunities into measurable results.