Scholarships > The Salem Foundation First in the Family Scholarship

The Salem Foundation First in the Family Scholarship

The Salem Foundation First in the Family Scholarship was established to assist first generation college students. They will be the first in their family to attend college or their parents and grandparents don’t have college degrees.

About the Scholarship

  1. Applications are accepted until February 28, 2026.
  2. Mail an official high school transcript, in a sealed envelope, with the school’s seal to:

The Salem Foundation – First in the Family Scholarship
c/o Pioneer Trust Bank, N.A.
P.O. Box 2305
Salem, OR  97308

Your official transcript must be postmarked by February 28, 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

For the 2025 – 2026 school year, applications will be accepted from graduating seniors attending public high schools within the Silver Falls School District, North Santiam School District, Woodburn School District, Gervais School District, Cascade School District, Jefferson School District, and Mt. Angel School District.

Additionally, current college students who received any previous year’s award may apply again. Please apply with updated college transcripts, letters of recommendation, and updated essay.

Applicants must be planning to attend an accredited college or university in the Fall of 2026. Trade schools are not eligible.

SELECTION

The criteria for selection will be:

  1. First in the family to attend college or parents and grandparents don’t have college degrees.
  2. Grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Financial need will be taken into consideration but is not a requirement to receive the award.

Relatives of the Scholarship Review Committee are not eligible to receive the scholarship.

AMOUNT AND PURPOSE

The amount of the scholarship for 2026 is $6,000.00. Award winner(s) may apply in subsequent years.

Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, room, board, books, fees, and/or any other qualifying college expenses, and will be paid directly to your college or university for your benefit.

Questions?

Any questions regarding this scholarship should be directed to us at salemfoundation@pioneertrustbank.com.

Application:

Scholarship Information

You will receive an automatically generated confirmation email after your application has been successfully submitted.  If you have not received an email within 24 hours of submitting your application, please check your spam and contact us at salemfoundation@pioneertrustbank.com

Name(Required)
Please check if you received this scholarship in a previous year and are applying again.
If you are a returning applicant, please answer with which high school you graduated from.
Trade schools are not eligible.
If you are a returning applicant, please answer with your current declared or planned major.
I am the first in my family to attend college or my parents and grandparents do not possess a college degree.(Required)
Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, png, Max. file size: 10 MB.
Write a one-page essay explaining why you are applying for this scholarship, what you plan to pursue in your college education, and what you hope to achieve in the future. If you are a returning applicant, please include how your college experience has impacted your goals for the future.
Please list any activities in which you have participated and offices you have held.
Please provide a brief description of your plans to pay for college (i.e., loans, grants, financial aid, family support).
Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, png, Max. file size: 10 MB.
Obtain two letters of recommendation, at least one of which is from a person not affiliated with your school/college.
Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, png, Max. file size: 10 MB.
I understand the application is not complete until I mail my official transcript (see address above)(Required)
If you are a returning applicant, please mail your official college transcript.