Mastercard Foundation ends $45 million program at Michigan State, citing media reports

EAST LANSING - A foundation focused on giving students from sub-Saharan Africa the opportunity to further their education has severed its relationship with Michigan State University.

The Mastercard Foundation has cut short what was meant to be a nine-year program with MSU that began in 2012. Under the terms of MSU's participation in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, it was to receive $45 million over that time period to support 185 undergraduate and graduate students.

"The Mastercard Foundation is dedicated to providing a safe environment for young people who participate in our programs," an emailed statement from the foundation began. "Due to extensive media reporting about issues involving Michigan State University (MSU), the Foundation has lost confidence in our partnership with the university."

There are 109 Mastercard scholars on campus currently and another 50 who've already completed their programs and graduated, MSU officials confirmed Tuesday.

Recipients of the scholarship receive assistance with tuition costs as well as for support services and leadership development. Those currently attending MSU will continue to receive the foundation's support through the completion of their programs, according to its statement.

The foundation will also pay for any costs to-date from the MSU Agriculture Youth Opportunity Lab, a collaboration between MSU and the foundation that began last year.

The five-year, $13-million arrangement aimed to help 15,000 people locate opportunities in horticulture and related fields in Tanzania and Nigeria, according to an MSU press release.

"MSU did receive notification from the Mastercard Foundation and notified all impacted students and partners," MSU spokesperson Emily Guerrant wrote in an email. "We appreciate that the Foundation acknowledged this decision was difficult and that they expressed their ongoing respect for all people engaged in the programs. Our focus now is the continued support of the current students through their graduation."

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In 2012, the Mastercard Foundation announced plans to spend $500 million on an initiative to support students from African countries furthering their education. MSU was among the institutions to partner with the foundation.

On its Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program website, a message reads, "Thank you for your interest in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at MSU. MSU is not admitting any new students under this program, and this website is no longer active."

Read the Mastercard Foundation's entire statement below:

"The Mastercard Foundation is dedicated to providing a safe environment for young people who participate in our programs. Due to extensive media reporting about issues involving Michigan State University (MSU), the Foundation has lost confidence in our partnership with the university. The Foundation will continue to support all current Mastercard Foundation Scholars at MSU. We will continue to cover the costs of their education, support services, and leadership development that are part of a comprehensive package offered by the Scholars Program. This support will continue until these Scholars graduate. We will work to support their safety and well-being. The Foundation will also honour any expenses incurred to date under the MSU Agriculture Youth Opportunity Lab projects as part of the termination of this partnership."

"Students interested in enrolling in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for the 2018-2019 school year are encouraged to visit our website for a full list of partner universities involved in the Program. The Foundation collaborates with 27 educational partners in the Scholars Program, including 25 tertiary education institutions. We have committed to supporting the education of nearly 35,000 talented, young African leaders, including 9,000 at the university level."

Contact RJ Wolcott at (517) 377-1026 or rwolcott@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @wolcottr.