Ford Salute to Education Scholarship: Requirements and Opportunities

The Ford Salute to Education scholarship program represents a significant investment in the future, aiming to encourage and support students in their pursuit of higher education. This article delves into the specifics of the program, outlining its purpose, eligibility criteria, application process, and overall impact. With a focus on the San Diego County Salute to Education program, this guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview for prospective applicants and interested parties.

Program Overview

The purpose of the San Diego County Salute to Education scholarship program is to encourage students to seek a higher education at a vocational/technical school, junior college, college or university after graduating from high school. The program aims at recruiting students who deserve recognition for their personal accomplishments and contributions to their schools and communities. Since its inception, the program has been dedicated to recognizing and rewarding students who demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence and community involvement.

A Brief History

The Salute to Education scholarship program was piloted in San Antonio, Texas in 1993. Because the Ford dealers have a sincere interest in enhancing educational opportunities in communities, the program expanded to parts of Texas, Florida and San Diego County. Over the past 28 years the San Diego County Salute to Education program has awarded $5.3 million to San Diego County high school seniors. Each of the nearly 4,900 students have each received a $1,000 to $1,500 scholarship for further education.

Funding and Support

The San Diego County Salute to Education program is a corporate sponsored scholarship program funded by the San Diego County Ford dealers and Ford Motor Company. Contributions from Global Team Blue and Zubi Advertising also help fund the program. For every new vehicle sold or leased, the San Diego County Ford dealers make a contribution to the San Diego County Salute to Education scholarship program.

Eligibility Criteria for San Diego County Applicants

To be eligible for the San Diego County Salute to Education scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria:

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Applicants must be residents of San Diego County.
Applicants must be a senior high school student attending an accredited public or private school in San Diego County.
Applicants must be scheduled to graduate in the spring semester and have a desire to continue his or her education at a vocational/technical school, junior college, college or university.
A high school senior who is a candidate for graduation in the spring semester, attends an accredited public or private school in San Diego County and is a resident of San Diego County who has not received a full four year scholarship may apply for a San Diego County Salute to Education scholarship.
All high school seniors may apply regardless of their grade point average.

Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

The application process for the Salute to Education scholarship is designed to be thorough yet accessible, ensuring that all eligible students have the opportunity to apply.

Key Steps

Complete the Application Form: All information and responses must be typed. Each field or space on the application must be completed. Should a field not pertain to the student, a very brief explanation and/or notation such as “Not Applicable” must be provided.
Faculty Recommendation: The faculty recommendation must be from a faculty member of the high school applicant is currently attending. If the faculty recommendation is attached as a separate letter, an original ink signature on the letter can substitute for the faculty recommendation signature on the application.
Student Transcript: A student transcript must accompany the application form.
Category Selection: Students should select the category that best applies to them. Please note: Students should apply in other categories listed. The general category is the most competitive and should be used for students that do not fit any other category.
Submission: P. O. Applications may be delivered to the San Diego County Salute to Education office.

Important Considerations

The complete San Diego County Salute to Education scholarship application must be typed. Handwritten information and responses will not be accepted.
Responses to the essay questions and the faculty recommendation can be typed on separate pages and attached to the application.
The deadline for submitting completed application forms is Friday, February 13, 2026. All applications must be postmarked or delivered by February 13th.

Selection Process

The scholarship recipients will be selected by local community leaders, educators and the San Diego County Salute to Education Advisory Council. Recipients of the scholarships are selected for their personal achievements and their contributions to their communities and schools.

Scholarship Distribution and Program Changes

Scholarship distribution is conducted at the sole discretion of the San Diego County Ford dealers, Ford Motor Company, its subsidiaries and the Salute to Education Advisory Council. Parties retain the right to make program changes at any time.

Expansion to Other Regions: South Florida Example

Salute to Education, the scholarship program funded by the South Florida Ford and Lincoln dealers for the past 21 years, has announced it currently is accepting applications online for one of 50 $1,500 college scholarships. Deadline to submit the applications online is Feb. Students may apply online at www.stescholarships.org. Applicants must complete a series of personal questions, including four essay questions, as part of the application process. Scholarship guidelines require an applicant to choose from one of the six categories in which he/she is qualified. A Scholarship Committee comprised of participating dealers, Ford executives, community, civic and educational leaders judge the applications and select the 50 scholarship winners from Miami-Dade County. Another 50 scholarship winners from Broward County are chosen as well. A total of $150,000 in scholarships will be awarded.

South Florida's Commitment

“We recognize the tremendous potential in the students within our community and we are committed to continue helping them pursue their dreams of a higher education,” said David Menten, president of Salute to Education and president of Sawgrass Ford. “With the consistent rise in college tuition, students have come to rely on scholarships like ours to help fund their education. For the past 21 years, the Miami-Dade and Broward County Ford and Lincoln Dealers have awarded more than $3.6 million in scholarships to more than 4,000 deserving public and private high school seniors in both Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

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Impact and Future Goals

The San Diego County Salute to Education program plans to award a minimum of $150,000 in scholarships to San Diego County senior high school students. In mid to late May, letters will be sent to each scholarship recipient. Under the leadership of San Diego County Salute to Education Chairman Paul Dyke, President of El Cajon Ford, the San Diego County Ford dealers will combine their resources to provide funding for scholarships to students who attend accredited public and private schools in the area and have a desire to continue their educations.

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