Ford dealers and the Ford Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Michigan-based automaker, are contributing $2 million in scholarship assistance across ten regions to assist students pursuing careers as automotive mechanics.
The Ford Auto Tech Scholarship, which covers more than 20 states and 292 eligible schools, will provide 400 need-based prizes to current or future students enrolled in post-secondary auto programs.
Memphis is one of the regions where scholarships will be offered.
Here is everything we know about Ford’s Auto Tech Scholarship program
Ford intends to persuade more young people to choose the automotive industry, which is experiencing a continuous technician shortage, with over 4,000 techs needed by 2027.
The Ford Auto Scholarship intends to assist develop high-paying positions as the industry transitions to electrification and software integration.
“As vehicles advance, we require highly skilled technicians to maintain and service them,” said Elena Ford, Ford’s chief dealer engagement officer, in a press statement. “Partnering with our dealers to invest in these students helps create job opportunities, shapes the future of our communities, and drives growth in our industry.”
Ford is developing an assembly factory in BlueOval City, Haywood County, to produce electrified trucks. It will employ 3,300 people and is slated to start production in 2025.
Who is eligible for Ford Auto Tech Scholarships?
Students applying for the 2024 Ford Auto Tech Scholarship must be pursuing automotive technology degrees or certificates in one of the following regions: Memphis, Greater Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Phoenix, Kansas City, Miami, Seattle, or Cincinnati.
The scholarship covers all costs of attendance, including tuition, tools, living expenses, and transportation. Ford dealers in each region will function as a support system, providing counsel, on-site training, and career assistance.
TechForce Foundation, a nationwide nonprofit organization, will distribute Ford Auto Tech scholarships to students pursuing technical education and employment as professional mechanics.
Ford has partnered with TechForce to provide $5,000 in financial aid to students pursuing education and training in auto and auto/diesel at a variety of authorized institutions.
“Every technician plays a vital role in moving our communities forward,” TechForce Foundation CEO Jennifer Maher said in a news release. “In order to solve the shortage of technicians the transportation industry currently faces and because diversity drives innovation, we need to make the field more accessible for people of all backgrounds. “By partnering with Ford dealers and Ford Fund to remove barriers to entry and increase greater economic mobility, we pave the way for more communities to thrive.”
How to apply online for a Ford Auto Tech Scholarship
For those looking to apply or find out more information about the 2024 Ford Auto Tech Scholarship, visit the TechForce website at https://techforce.org/fordfundv2.
The application process is open from March 4 to August 31. Scholarships will be provided on a rolling basis, with applications considered as they are received.
Last year’s initiative awarded 200 students $1 million in scholarships throughout four regions: Greater Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and Phoenix.
