Such stories don’t surprise Amy Smitter, executive director of the Michigan Campus Compact, an association of Michigan colleges and universities. Last year, it partnered with Michigan DHS to host conferences to explore the needs of former foster children in higher education.

“Some of their stories are heartbreaking,” Smitter said. “And it’s always that one person who made a difference, the person who said, ‘Why aren’t you going to class?’ or … found out they didn’t have food.”