With wrap-around supports, scholarships will propel students’ higher education pursuits
Roseburg, Ore. — Each year, The Ford Family Foundation awards learners from across Oregon and Siskiyou County, Calif. — whether a high school senior, transfer student, adult learner or parenting student — with scholarships to pursue a bachelor’s or associate degree. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the Foundation is honored to announce 259 scholarship recipients.
“This new class of Scholars embodies hard work and resilience, motivation and the ability to rise to meet challenges,” said Denise Callahan, director of postsecondary success at The Ford Family Foundation. “We are excited to support these leaders in reaching their fullest potential.”
Beyond the scholarship itself, students receive academic guidance, leadership development, personal and professional support and access to the Ford Family alumni network.
Through four distinct programs, the Ford Scholars Program, the Ford Transfer Scholars Program, the Ford Opportunity Scholars Program and The Ford Family Foundation Scholarship Program for Sons and Daughters of Employees of Roseburg Forest Products Co., The Ford Family Foundation helps make college possible for those who may not otherwise access a path to higher education. This year, the Foundation selected:
- 120 students as new Ford Scholars
- 90 students as new Ford Opportunity Scholars
- 25 students as new Ford Transfer Scholars
- 24 students as new Ford Sons and Daughters scholarship recipients
Headquartered in Roseburg, Oregon, The Ford Family Foundation has helped more than 6,000 students access a college degree. Kenneth W. Ford created the Ford Scholars Program to help students who work hard, have significant financial need and face barriers to higher education. Hallie E. Ford established the Ford Opportunity Scholars Program to help college students who face the additional responsibilities of being single parents. In 2021, the Ford Opportunity Scholars program merged with the Ford ReStart Scholars Program to include parents of any age and any adult over the age of 25 pursuing a bachelor’s or associate degree. The Ford Transfer Scholars Program supports students in their final years of their undergraduate degree after transferring from a community college to a 4-year college. Scholarships for these three programs include a renewable financial award of up to $40,000 per year. The Ford Sons and Daughters Scholarship Program awards up to $5,000 annually to selected eligible dependents of Roseburg Forest Products Co. employees for school-related expenses. All programs include personalized support for students.
Since 1994, the Foundation’s scholarship programs have awarded students more than $276 million. Please visit our Awardees page for a full list of the 2026 scholarship recipients.
Download this press release PDF
About The Ford Family Foundation
The Ford Family Foundation believes in the power of rural communities. It is a private, nonprofit foundation proudly headquartered in Roseburg, Oregon, serving rural Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. Its investments through grants, scholarships and community building create the conditions so that children have the family, educational and community supports they need to succeed in life. www.tfff.org
General media inquiries
Sarah Pytalski, Manager – Policy and Communications
(541) 492-2396, spytalski@tfff.org
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