Internet Treasure Chest

By Jim Neusom

 

 

 

Below are just a few samples of the jewels of knowledge that can be discovered in this treasure chest of information...called the Internet.
 
I'm always promoting educational and scholarship opportunities. Recently I was visiting automotive websites.  Blacks in America spend over $32 Billion dollars a year on cars (see www.targetmarketnews.com). It would stand to reason with all that's going on in our society that their websites would reflect that.
 
I was pleasantly impressed with the top 3 auto makers (Ford, GM, and Toyota).  All had extensive information on their diversity programs, philanthropic projects, and educational opportunities. I threw Mercedes-Benz in the mix, just because...smile.
 
Due to the text limitations and constrictions of this Digital Drum, I can not post all the great socially conscious information I found in detail, but I highlighted a few programs that caught my eye. I strongly recommend that if you're involved in the community, or work with youth, you should visit Ford, GM, and Toyota's websites for yourself.
 
The easiest and most direct way to learn about scholarships is go to the source. Remember, all I do is beat on this Digital Drum, passing information from one group to another. One of my best sources is www.blackstudents.com, another Black owned website is www.blackexcel.org. Lastly if your looking for an online community focused on educational opportunities, check out the BDPA (www.bdpa.org) communities on most social networking sites (such as Yahoo groups, FaceBook, LinkedIn, etc.)
 
Online search engines specializing in financial assistance for college such as www.finaid.org or www.scholarships.com are also great resources for prospective scholarships. To submit a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA), visit: www.fafsa.ed.gov or call 1-800-4-FED-AID.
 

Scholarship Opportunities with the Big 3 Automakers
 
TOYOTA
http://www.toyota.com/about/our_commitment/philanthropy/education/scholarships/
 
 
Toyota has long supported a wide variety of scholarship programs, many of which focus on minority and disadvantaged students. We firmly believe in supporting those in pursuit of higher learning to help individuals achieve their full potential.
 
Toyota supported programs:
Toyota Community Scholars (TCS)
Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF)
Youth For Understanding (YFU)
National FFA
 
 
---Toyota Community Scholars---
http://www.toyota.com/about/our_commitment/philanthropy/education/scholarships/tcs.html
 
In 2007, Toyota awarded 100 high school seniors with $1.12 million in college scholarships for their commitment to education and community service at an awards banquet in Louisville, Kentucky.
 
Toyota Community Scholars are recognized for their academic excellence, leadership and commitment to community service. Every year, Toyota awards 100 college scholarships – valued at $10,000 and $20,000 – over the course of four years, to remarkable high school seniors.
 
 
GENERAL MOTORS
http://www.gm.com/corporate/careers/student_center.jsp?p=scholarships
 
 
General Motors contributes funding to various organizations that provide scholarship support. Please visit the organization’s website, or other specified contact information, for details on specific scholarship programs.
 
General Motors supported programs:
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES
Chevrolet Excellence in Education Award
Consortium for Graduate Study in Management (CGSM) 
FFA Scholarship program in conjunction with Chevy Truck
General Motors Community Relations Scholarship Program
General Motors Mark of Excellence -Project M.I.G.H.T.
General Motors Minority Dealers Association Scholarship Program (GMMDA)
General Motors Minority Engineering and Science Scholarship (MES)
GM African Ancestry Network Scholarship Program
GM Automotive Service Educational Scholarship Program
GM/Greater Baltimore Urban League Educational Scholarship Program
GM/National Council of La Raza Educational Scholarship Program
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)
Hispanic Scholarship Fund 
LULAC National Education Service Centers (LNESC) 
Michigan Colleges Foundation (MCF)
Minority Engineering and Science Scholarships
National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) 
National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) 
National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering (GEM) 
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) 
Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers(SHPE)
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Sullivan Fellowship Program
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Endowed Scholarships (EEOC)
 
 
---Inroads, Inc.--- 
To develop and place talented minority youth in business and industry and prepare them for corporate and community leadership. Functions include extensive development through mandatory INROADS workshops and consecutive summer employment in a career-related work environment.
 
 
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
http://www.ford.com/our-values/education/education-america/scholarship-support/college-scholarships-482p
 
 
We continue to support a number of college scholarship programs designed to reward students who shine. In 2007, we'll fund college scholarships for more than 200 young people across the country through our major scholarship partner organizations and programs.
 
Ford Motor Company supported programs:
American Indian College Fund
Hispanic College Fund
National FFA Foundation Scholarships
Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarship Program
United Negro College Fund
 
 
---Ford Blue Oval Scholars Program---
The Ford Blue Oval Scholars program is a national web-based initiative that will provide scholarship winners a place to network, share information, learn about internships and jobs, plan and implement community service initiatives and access information about careers at Ford. Eventually, the program will grow to include current and past winners of scholarships from all across Ford Motor Company, including college scholarships awarded by our national network of dealers.
 
 
MERCEDES BENZ
http://www.mbusa.com/cda/aboutus/jsp/index.jsp?page=social_responsibility§ion=Philanthropy&subnav=philanthropyToolbar
 
 
Mercedes-BenzUSAbelieves that a premier company must lead by example.
With our reputation for innovation and leadership - qualities that are mirrored among our owners, dealers and employees alike - comes an opportunity to give back to the community - to educate and empower. To that end, MBUSA puts particular emphasis on initiatives designed to support future generations, particularly those who are underserved.
 
 
---Drive Your Future Scholarship Program---
Over the past four years, Mercedes-Benz USA, with support from local dealers, is proud to have contributed over $3.6 million in scholarships to students who are the first in their families to go to college. DRIVE YOUR FUTURE: The Mercedes-Benz USA Scholarship Program has reached nearly 1,000 students; many of whom would not have been able to pursue a college education without this aid. DRIVE YOUR FUTURE, like other MBUSA philanthropic initiatives, is based on a core belief at Mercedes-Benz that it is the responsibility of successful people and companies to do what they can to reach out and provide opportunities to the next generation.
 
For more info see: http://www.mbusa.com/cda/aboutus/jsp/index.jsp?page=driveYourFuture§ion=Philanthropy&subnav=philanthropyToolbar&submenu=3