Will the Foundation accept scholarship applications from students who come from metropolitan areas?
Yes, the Foundation accepts applications from students throughout the state of Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. The Ford Sons & Daughters Program also awards students in other regions.
Does the Foundation provide scholarships for children who want to attend a K-12 private or parochial school?
No, the Foundation's scholarship awards are available only for post-secondary education.
Do I have to attend college full time to receive the scholarship?
Yes, you must enroll full time in a minimum of 12 credit hours per term/semester.
I am not planning on enrolling fall term/semester. Can I defer the scholarship until January of next year?
No, you must enroll in the fall of the year you are awarded the scholarship.
Where do I get an application to apply for this scholarship?
Apply through the Oregon Student Access Commission (OSAC) website using the online application at www.OregonStudentAid.gov.
When is the application deadline?
Scholarship applications and all related materials must be submitted online by March 1 of each year.
Is there a fee to apply?
No, there are no fees to apply for any scholarships from The Ford Family Foundation.
Do you have any helpful hints for filling out my application?
- Do your best work! Make sure that the information you provide is complete and accurate.
- Do not use abbreviations or slang in your Activities Chart or Personal Statements.
- Proofread your Personal Statements before you submit your application.
- Use the Personal Statements and Activities Chart to share what makes you unique.
- Read the transcript requirements carefully and be sure to submit the correct transcript(s).
What happens if an application is incomplete by the deadline?
Complete applications must be submitted online by March 1 or they will not be considered. Applications that have missing parts, such as a transcript that doesn’t include fall semester/term, will not be considered.
I have been convicted of a felony. Am I eligible to apply for a Ford Family scholarship?
Yes, you are eligible to apply. However, awards can only be made to recipients with a felony conviction if he or she has completed parole, probation, or any type of post‑prison supervision, and has paid any required restitution and/or court fees by August 1st of the application year.
All Ford Family scholarship applicants are subject to a criminal background check. Selection committees may consider the number, type, and time elapsed since the convictions.
What is the FAFSA and do I need to complete it to receive a scholarship?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to receive any federal financial aid (such as the Pell Grant, State Grant, Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan, etc.) and to qualify for many scholarships.
A completed FAFSA is required to apply for the Ford Scholars, Ford Opportunity, or Ford ReStart Programs. You are not required to complete a FAFSA to apply for the Ford Sons & Daughters Program, but you may wish to do so for other financial aid opportunities. Access the FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov.
How can I contact The Ford Family Foundation Scholarship Office?
You may write, call, e-mail, or fax with questions:
The Ford Family Foundation Scholarship Office
440 East Broadway, Suite 200
Eugene, OR 97401
Toll Free: (877) 864-2872
Local: (541) 485-6211
E-mail: fordscholarships@tfff.org
Fax: (541) 485-6223
Do I have to interview to receive this scholarship?
Yes, the selection committee must interview all selected applicants in order to award scholarships.
When will interviews be conducted?
Selected candidates will be sent a letter inviting them to participate in an interview (in person for Oregon applicants and via telephone or video-conferencing for other applicants) by early April. Interviews will be conducted in late April or May and awards will be announced by late May.
Can I attend college online with a scholarship from The Ford Family Foundation?
Recipients are expected to enroll full time in residential or campus-based programs. However, distance education or online courses may be included if the courses are approved for funding by an eligible, accredited Title IV eligible institution and only if they do not exceed more than half the course load in a term or semester.
Recipients are not eligible for undergraduate Ford Family Scholarship funds if they are taking distance learning courses exclusively.