Michelle Bellino speaks with The Michigan Daily about a new scholarship made available by the U-M Central Student Government

The Michigan Daily reports that the University of Michigan’s Central Student Government has launched the Conflict-Affected and Refugee Education Scholarship (CARES). Open to both undergraduate and graduate students, selected applicants will receive up to $5,000 based on financial need granted in the fall 2025 semester. The CARES Task Force hopes to increase award amounts in future years.

“(CARES) is a fund that serves to uplift students from conflict-affected zones, whether it be a war-torn country or region, hunger, famine or any other circumstances that might affect their ability to pursue an education, and also refugee students — so students who have refugee status and who are currently studying in the United States,” Amr Brown, a Public Policy rising junior and CARES Task Force chair, told The Daily.

When Marsal School Associate Professor Michelle Bellino attended a CSG meeting to advocate for the scholarship, she recalled saying, “'Despite what’s happening (with the federal government), this would be symbolically and materially meaningful for these individuals,' and I continue to really believe that.” Bellino, a member of the CARES Evaluation Board, researches the intersections between education and youth civic development, with particular attention to contexts impacted by armed conflict and forced displacement. “I think it’s a very important way of our student community saying to students who have been affected by conflict and displacement, ‘We see you. We know you’re part of the community and you do belong here.’”