A Jackson foundation pledged $800,000 Wednesday to restore first-semester Fostering Access and Inspiring True Hope (FAITH) scholarships for about 170 former foster youths after the state Office of Student Financial Aid told applicants the awards would not be funded, officials said. The office still faces a $7.3 million shortfall that could reduce aid for nearly 27,000 students, the agency said.
The donation ended days of uncertainty for students such as 18-year-old My’Kayla Gaines Cochnauer of Natchez, who was delivering DoorDash orders when her adoptive mother texted a screenshot showing her FAITH award had been reinstated. “I am really happy that I and other kids can now go to college without having to worry about work or where my next dollars will come from,” Cochnauer said. She plans to move into her dorm at Mississippi State University on Aug. 14.
Jim McHale, president and CEO of the Woodward Hines Education Foundation, said the board met Tuesday and unanimously approved using the funds to cover eligible students’ first semester. McHale said the contribution is a one-time fix and the foundation is soliciting additional donations. “If legislators say they want a strong, educated population and economic workforce then it’s imperative that they invest in the aid that covers tuition,” he said.
Officials said the state appropriated $3 million earlier this year after the financial aid office requested $6.5 million for FAITH scholarships and the Winter-Reed Teacher Loan Repayment Program. The office applied the full appropriation to FAITH awards, leaving the loan repayment program unfunded for the first time since 2021, officials said. Jennifer Rogers, executive director of the Office of Student Financial Aid, said the $3 million covered renewals for 159 students and first-time awards for 23 applicants; with the Woodward Hines support, about 170 new applicants will receive scholarships.
Lawmakers and higher education leaders were urged to prevent future shortfalls. Rep. Bill Kinkade, R-Byhalia and sponsor of the FAITH legislation, said he will work with colleagues before the 2027 session to address funding needs. “We made a promise to these students and we will try to honor them by funding those scholarships next year,” Kinkade said. Tammy Cochnauer, My’Kayla’s adoptive mother, urged lawmakers to require earlier notification when scholarship funding is in jeopardy so students are not left scrambling.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
