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, Zubi Advertising and RMD Group also help fund the program. Salute to Educationʼs main purpose is encouraging students to continue their educations, whether it be at a vocational/technical school, junior college or university.
Over the past 19 years the San Diego County Salute to Education program has awarded over $3.5 million to San Diego County high school seniors. Over 3,500 students have each received a $1,000 scholarship for further education. In addition, 18 of the scholarship recipients also received new Ford vehicles.
Salute to Education began in 1993 as a pilot program in San Antonio, Texas. 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. San Diego County is the only area in California to participate in the program.
San Diego County Salute to Education is available to high school seniors who reside in San Diego County and attend an accredited public or private school in participating areas. Recipients of the scholarships are selected in March by San Diego County Salute to Education Advisory Council participants, educators and community leaders. Scholarship recipients are selected for their personal achievements and their contributions to their communities and schools. Academic achievement is considered, but is not the determining factor for receiving a San Diego County Salute to Education scholarship.
San Diego County Salute to Education awards scholarships on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis.
San Diego County Salute to Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion or sexual orientation in the administration of its scholarship program.
The scholarship recipients will be selected from the general public and employees and directors of San Diego County Salute to Education or family members of employees and directors of San Diego County Salute to Education will not receive preferential treatment in the selection process.