Ford Blue Oval Scholarships Available for San Antonio High School Students

March 14, 2011 - PRLog -- DEARBORN, Mich., SAN ANTONIO, Texas — In partnership with Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, the SME Education Foundation announces the 2011 Ford Blue Oval Scholarship program for graduating high school seniors in Bexar County, Texas. As part of their Operation Goodwill program, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services are continuing this scholarship program, established in 2009, for Bexar County high school students to encourage their pursuit of degrees in engineering or technology-related programs.

Ten scholarships valued at $2,500 each will be awarded to students who have made their college selection. Students are invited to visit the SME Education Foundation website to access scholarship information and the scholarship application. The application and all required documents must be received by the offices of the SME Education Foundation by Friday, April 15, 2011. Scholarship recipients will be notified by mail beginning May 2011.  

The Ford Blue Oval Scholarship program is an innovative initiative designed to increase Ford's philanthropic and community-related commitment in select cities across America. Through this program, Ford Fund is partnering with its dealers in providing funding to support a combination of grants, safety and educational programs and volunteer activities that enhance the quality of life in San Antonio.  

Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, is a highly-recognized industry leader committed to furthering the development of America’s future engineers, scientists and technical work force. It has partnered with the SME   Education Foundation, who in sharing its vision for workforce development, administers the scholarship. The Ford Blue Oval Scholarship, a one-time gift, allows students to apply for subsequent awards. It was established in the summer of 2009 with plans to expand to other cities.
 
Each selected student is known as a Ford Blue Oval Scholar. In 2010 scholarships were awarded to ten students, five young men and five young women from the following Bexar County high schools: Ronald Regan, Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Burbank, Brooks Academy, McCollum, South San Antonio, Southwest, Earl Warren and the Science and Engineering Academy (SEA).

               
“The ability of this country to research, design and develop innovative manufacturing technologies is critical in our ability to increase productivity in durable goods, which increases employment and provides economic and social well-being. We are reaching out to talented young people to help them secure a viable future with a technology-based education,” says Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services.

Requirements: Students must have a minimum 2.5/4.0 GPA or GED certificate; be part or full-time student and pursuing a career in engineering or engineering technology, and enrolled in a diploma/certificate, two-year or four-year degree program. Students must provide the Foundation with the name and address of the school/financial aid office they plan on attending. Award funds will be deposited in an account at the recipient’s institution of choice and only used as a credit toward tuition, fees, books, and course related equipment. Students must contact the designated official at their school regarding the procedure for disbursement of funds.

Applicants are required to download and print the application from the Foundation website, provide a high school transcript from their current school or GED certificate, their resume including work history, submit a student essay of one or two paragraphs describing why they  selected a career in engineering or engineering technology and their career goals, with two letters of reference – one being from a current or former instructor. In administering the scholarships, the SME Education Foundation will review applicant submissions and determine awardees.

“In today’s economic climate, scholarships like the Ford Blue Oval Scholarship are crucial to students and their chances for viable careers. As the emerging technologies sector continues to accelerate, companies increasingly dependent on advanced manufacturing technologies and its processes, want to hire engineers capable of designing and improving products,” says Bart A. Aslin, chief operating officer, SME Education Foundation.  

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services:
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and American heritage and community life. The Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through national programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 20,000 Ford employees and retirees each year work on projects that better their communities in dozens of countries. For more information, visit www.community.ford.com

About the SME Education Foundation:                                                                                        
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Education Foundation – created in 1979, is dedicated to the advancement of manufacturing education and preparing the next generation of manufacturing engineers and technologists. Thanks to the generosity of its partners including corporations, organizations, foundations and individual donors, the Foundation has awarded more than $31 million since 1980 in awards, scholarships and youth programs. For more information visit http://www.smeef.org. Also visit www.CareerMe.org for information on advanced manufacturing careers and www. Manufacturing is Cool.com, our award-winning website for young people.

Media Contacts: Liz Bradford at Ford-San Antonio, Quorum Public Affairs, 214-202-8830,  Bart A. Aslin, SME Education Foundation, 313.425.3302, baslin@sme.org

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The nation’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to advancing manufacturing education through awards, scholarships and technology-based youth programs.