Mercedes Benz Scholarships
Programs Target Underrepresented and First in Family
Mercedes-Benz USA’s core corporate philosophy is embedded in the idea that only the most well educated populace is qualified to lead and make a difference. To those ends the company specializes in boosting community programs especially targeted to those most underrepresented populations, where funding has often failed to trickle down.
MB’s fundraising begins with community dealerships, the spokes on the larger wheel of "interlocking" corporate entities that make philanthropic efforts work. Strong community organizations that benefit from MBUSA funds include: American Red Cross, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, YMCA, Urban League and others.
MBUSA Scholarships Emphasize Underrepresented
Scholarships focused on "first in family" are a more recent addition. In some ways the main criteria aims to dispel the "minority" categorization by opening up the award to all, from all social and ethnic backgrounds. The aptly named Drive Your Future Scholarships make generous scholarships available to students from a family with no previous college experience. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors with an amazing mix of academics and extracurricular involvement.
An even more recent expansion of the former program is the Drive Your Future Performance Scholarships. Are you a performing arts student or dancer? If you are enrolling in a performing arts major, this scholarship offers competitive awards. Applicants must still satisfy the "first in family" requirement. The performing arts scholarships are funded in part by the Entertainment Industry Foundation. Awards for both programs are $10,000 disbursed over four years.
Corporate Presence in Alabama
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, MBUSI, headquarters itself in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Factory operations in this location require the manpower of thousands of employees, many from the region. As a means of giving back, MBUSI sponsors the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Scholarship Program. Eligible applicants must be graduating high school seniors from Jefferson or Tuscaloosa counties in Alabama, including those who are employee dependents. To be considered applicants must be enrolled in a college or university that offers at least a two-year degree. Community and technical college applicants are encouraged to apply. Candidates are evaluated on the basis of academic achievement and motivation, in combination with extracurricular activities. Awards are $1,000. Ten scholarships are divided equally between employee dependents and local students.
