Oregon’s single largest private scholarship provider is The Ford Family Foundation. Offering unique, renewable scholarships for Oregon and Siskiyou County, California residents, the Foundation selects over 250 new recipients for their need-based programs and awards over $11 million annually to support students’ success in college and beyond. Selection criteria is centered on applicants’ ability to characterize their potential, resilience, initiative and service to others.
The Ford Opportunity Program was established to assist single parents OR returning students over age 25 in obtaining a degree. The award covers 90% of unmet college costs and is calculated on the college’s Cost of Attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, personal costs, etc.), minus other grants and scholarships. Applicant must be residents of Oregon or Siskiyou County, California, be single parents with custody of dependent children, have a high school diploma or GED or be about to complete either or be a continuing college student, and plan to enroll full-time in their state of residence (Oregon or California). As previously mentioned, this is also offered to adults who are returning students. To apply, applicants must submit the FAFSA. Dollar amounts will vary. Applications run from December until the due date.