Each year, up to 55 students throughout Oregon and Siskiyou County, California are selected as recipients of the Ford Opportunity Program. The scholarship award is not a set amount, but is calculated to cover 90% ($1,000 minimum/$25,000 maximum per academic year) of each student’s college costs that are not covered by other resources (such as grants and scholarships), and their expected family contribution (EFC) from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The scholarship can be renewed annually for up to four years of undergraduate study.

Applicants must be residents of Oregon who are single parents of dependent children and considered heads of household, and must have high school diplomas or GED certificates, be about to complete high school, or be continuing college students.

Applicants must plan to earn a bachelor’s degree and to enroll full time in the fall of the application year at a public or private, accredited, Title IV non-profit Oregon college. Students with existing bachelor’s degrees are not eligible to be recipients of Ford Family Scholarships.

Graduate school funding may be an option for continuing Ford Opportunity Scholars who successfully complete their bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.6 cumulative grade point average (GPA) from their degree-granting institution. For further eligibility requirements, contact the Foundation Scholarship Office.

Below are additional selection criteria for the Ford Opportunity Program. The applicant must demonstrate:

1. Financial need, as calculated by information presented on the FAFSA and by the judgment of the school(s) to which the student applies. The FAFSA must be submitted online after January 1 and no later than March 1 at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
2. Leadership skills and leadership roles in school and community activities.
3. A concern for others and a contribution of time and energy to volunteer projects and/or service organizations.
4. A contribution to personal success through paid work experience.
5. An ability to think clearly about personal strengths and goals and to present ideas clearly and concisely in both the essays and the required individual interview with a Foundation selection committee.
6. An ability to succeed in college as demonstrated by satisfactory SAT or ACT scores or a high school or college GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants with less than a 3.0 cumulative GPA can submit a Ford Scholarship Program Special Recommendation form to verify academic potential. Forms are available on the Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC) website: www.getcollegefunds.org.

Apply online for the Ford Opportunity Program through the OSAC website, or by obtaining a paper application, available upon request by contacting OSAC. The online application is available after November 1 of each year.

The Oregon Scholarship eApp Workbook is available in the fall of each year. Consult the OSAC website for application materials and additional information about financial aid and scholarships.

Don’t forget that in order to qualify for need-based scholarships, applicants must submit a FAFSA before March 1 to be certain it is available in time for the Ford Family Scholarship review. Submit online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

All online applications must be submitted by March 1. All application materials (application, essays, transcripts and special forms) must be received by March 1. All applications are reviewed and the most qualified applicants are invited to individual interviews in mid-May. Applicant interviews are conducted throughout Oregon.

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