The selection process:

• No preference is given to any candidate based on gender, race, ethnicity, geographical location, Ferguson parent's position or length of service, student's grade in school, chosen major or field of study, chosen college, or whether any extended family members have previously been selected.
• All qualified applications go through an initial screening and evaluation to ensure that they meet the basic criteria.
• Applications are assessed and scored on community service participation, school activities, merit of grades and test scores, and quality of written essays. Financial need is NOT considered here; emphasis is placed on community service, activities, and essays.
• Twenty "semi-finalists" are selected, based on their merit. Those students are notified and asked to complete a brief questionnaire updating the information on their original application.
• All "semi-finalists'" applications go through a second review and scoring process, involving additional independent judges who were not involved in the initial phase, to ensure fairness and "fresh eyes" on the applications. During this phase, judges are asked to rank their top five candidates. Any applicant whose name appears on a judge's list receives bonus points on their final score. Scores from the first review are NOT included.
• Financial need is considered in the final evaluation", but is valued low in comparison to other categories.
• If you have any additional questions about the selection process, please E-Mail our Scholarship Officer.