The Ford Scholars Program is open to 1) graduating high school seniors, and 2) continuing community college students who are pursuing a bachelor's degree and are ready to transfer to a four-year college.

The Ford Scholars Program was created by Kenneth W. Ford (1908-1997), the founder of The Ford Family Foundation, to assist students who otherwise would find it impossible, or at least very difficult, to obtain a college degree without financial assistance. He established The Ford Family Foundation to help with a number of worthy causes, but the Ford Scholars Program was always one of his favorite projects.

Program and Scholarship Details
Each year, up to 100 new Ford Scholars are selected from throughout Oregon. The scholarship is not a set amount, but is calculated to cover 90% of each student's college costs that are not covered by other grants and scholarships, the expected family contribution (EFC) from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, and a $1,000 Ford Scholars work expectation. The scholarship can be renewed annually for up to four years of undergraduate study.

Applicants must be Oregon residents as well as U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. There are two types of eligible applicants: 1) students with a high school diploma or GED, or about to complete high school, and have not attended college full-time; or 2) students who have completed or will be completing two years at an accredited public or private two-year college in Oregon, and will be entering their junior year at a four-year college in the fall of the application year.

Applicants must be planning to earn a bachelor's degree and enroll full-time for fall term of the application year at a public or private, accredited, Title IV non-profit Oregon college. Ford Scholars Graduate Study
Ford Scholar recipients who successfully complete their bachelor's degrees 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 Oregon Ford Scholars 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 as soon after January 1st as possible and no later than March 1st at http://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 an 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 Oregon.

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 as soon after January 1 as possible and no later than March 1 to be certain it is available for our scholarship review. Submit it online at the FAFSA website www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Deadline: March 1
All online applications must be submitted to OSAC by March 1. All applications, essays, transcripts and special forms must be postmarked no later than March 1. All eligible 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