The Ford Opportunity Program is designed specifically for single parents who are heads of households and who are pursuing a bachelor's degree and do not have the support of a domestic partner. This program is offered in both Oregon and Siskiyou County, California.

The Ford Opportunity Program was created by Hallie E. Ford. Mrs. Ford established this program to assist Oregon residents who are single parents. She realized that as students and parents, these people have many extra responsibilities. She determined to help them obtain their bachelor's degrees with financial assistance, counseling and support services.

Program and Scholarship Details
Each year, up to 50 students are selected to receive Ford Opportunity Program awards. The scholarship is not a set amount, but is calculated to cover 90% of each student's college costs that are not met by other resources. These other resources include the student's expected family contribution, other grants and scholarships. The scholarship is awarded annually for up to four years of undergraduate study.

Applicants must be Oregon residents who are single parents with dependent children and considered heads of households. All applicants must have high school diplomas or GED certficates, or be about to complete high school, or be continuing college students. Applicants must plan to earn a bachelor's degree and enroll full-time in the fall of the application year at a public or private, accredited, Title IV non-profit Oregon college.Ford Opportunity Program Graduate Study
Ford Opportunity Program recipients who successfully complete their bachelor's degree with at least a 3.6 grade point average from their graduating institutions can apply for up to two years of graduate-level funding at 80% of unmet need. Graduate funding is awarded at the discretion of the Foundation.

Students with existing bachelor's degrees are not eligible for Ford Family Scholarships.

Below are additional selection criteria for the Ford Opportunity Program:

1. Demonstrate financial need as calculated by information presented on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and by the judgment of the school(s) to which the student applies. Submit online before March 1 at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
2. Demonstrate leadership skills and evidence of leadership roles in school and community activities.
3. Demonstrate concern for others and contribution of time and energy to volunteer projects and/or service organizations.
4. Demonstrate contribution to personal success through paid work experience.
5. Demonstrate in application essays and in the required personal interview with a Foundation selection committee the ability to think clearly about personal strengths and goals.
6. Show evidence of having the ability to succeed in college as demonstrated by satisfactory SAT or ACT scores or a high school or college GPA of 3.0 or better. Applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA can submit a Ford Scholarship Program Special Recommendation Form to verify academic promise. Forms are available on the Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC) website www.getcollegefunds.org.

Apply online for Ford Family Scholarship Programs through the Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC) website, or by obtaining an Oregon Student Assistance Commission Scholarship Application, available at high school counseling offices and college financial aid offices in both Oregon and Siskiyou County, California.

Application booklets are available in the fall. Online application is available after December 15. Consult the OSAC website for application materials and additional information about financial aid and scholarships.

Don't forget: In order to qualify for need-based scholarships, applicants must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form before March 1 to be certain it is available for Ford Family Scholarship review. Submit it online at the FAFSA website www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Deadline: March 1
All online applications must be submitted by March 1. All applications, essays, transcripts and special forms must be postmarked no later than March 1. All applications are reviewed and the most qualifed applicants are invited to individual interviews in mid-May. Applicant interviews are conducted throughout Oregon.

For more information contact:

The Ford Family Foundation
Scholarship Office
440 E Broadway, Suite 200
Eugene, OR 97401
Toll free: (877) 864-2872
Local: (541) 485-6211
Email: fordscholarships@tfff.org