First Chance Scholarship Program
The First Chance® Scholarship Program was established by University of Phoenix and, actor and education advocate, Tom Arnold in 2006 to promote the life-changing benefits of education, and honor individuals who have shown desire to improve their lives and the lives of those around them through education. The scholarship program and the hope it represents are in memory of Ryan Francis, a devoted son and talented student-athlete at the University of Southern California. During a special Mother’s Day visit to his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the spring of 2005, nineteen-year-old Ryan was killed in a random act of violence.
Tom Arnold, who was filming a movie in Baton Rouge when the tragedy occurred, was moved by the Francis family’s story. He arranged a meeting with Ryan’s mother, Paulette, to offer his condolences. After talking with Paulette and hearing of the close bond between her and her son and the sacrifices she had made to improve her son’s future through education, Tom was inspired to help create a scholarship in Ryan’s memory. Tom, who has a personal connection to University of Phoenix, approached the school with his idea, and together, they developed the First Chance® Scholarship Program.
The annual program will empower 200 individuals to complete either a bachelor’s or master’s degree through full-tuition scholarships to University of Phoenix. Tom Arnold will lead the program supported by an Advisory Board and the University.
The First Chance® Scholarship Program will recognize two generations. The first honorees are the parents and caregivers who dedicate their lives to raising children, teaching them the value of education, and supporting their efforts to pursue their college education. This group includes those who are instilling these values in young children, as well as those whose children are or are approaching college age. The second generation honored is the exceptional youth who clearly demonstrate a passion for learning, strength of character, and the desire to make a difference.
The First Chance® Scholarship Program is made up of three different parts and is intended for prospective undergraduate students, not yet attending University of Phoenix:
- A first chance for parents... These scholarships are directed toward parents that want to better their lives through education and create a culture of education within their own family and lead by example.
- A first chance for adult college students... These scholarships are directed toward those individuals who are twenty-three or older that may even be the first in their families, and perhaps in their communities, to go to college. It empowers a new generation of students with the ability to create a culture of education within family and community.
- A first chance for students... These scholarships are a representation of Ryan Francis, a young man who demonstrated exceptional character and leadership, and are directed toward those teenagers and young adults who also live their lives in this way - with a dream for their future.
How Scholarship Recipients Will be Identified and Selected
Scholarships will be awarded through partnerships with non-profit organizations throughout the country. In identifying the best way to reach exceptional teenagers and young adults most in need of a college scholarship, and parents of young children who will be the first in their family to attend college, the University determined that the best approach would be to partner with non-profit organizations whose mission focuses on meeting the needs of these individuals. The University will work together with these organizations to promote the First Chance® Scholarship Program, encourage applications, establish review and selection committees, and award over 200 scholarships each year.
The University is partnering with local chapters of the Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club, Urban League, and YMCA. Included in these 200 scholarships will also be opportunities for college students attending college on scholarship to nominate their parent for a scholarship in recognition of the sacrifices these parents make for the sake of their children's education. The First Chance® Scholarship Program opportunities are intended for prospective students, not yet attending University of Phoenix.
The non-profit organizations will determine the application and award schedules that best meet their local needs. To apply, you must be a member, alumnus, or parent of a member or alumnus of one of our non-profit partners.
| Partner Name |
Website |
|---|---|
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona | www.bbbsaz.org |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio | www.bbbscolumbus.org |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit | www.bbbsdetroit.org |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago | www.bgcc.org |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Idaho | www.bgclubidaho.org |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis | www.bgcm.org |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix | |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands | www.bgcomaha.org |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee | www.boysgirlsclubs.org |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana | www.bgcsela.org |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities | boysandgirls.org |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson | www.bgctuc.org |
| Junior Achievement of Chicago | www.jachicago.org |
| National Foster Parent Association | www.nfpainc.org |
| St. Joseph's Villa - Richmond, VA | www.stjosephsvilla.net |
| Urban League of Dayton | www.daytonurbanleague.org |
| Urban League of Greater Phoenix | www.gphxul.org |
| YMCA of Cheyenne | cheyenneymca.org |
| YMCA of Metropolitan Washington | www.ymcadc.org |
| YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas | www.ymcadallas.org |
Ryan Francis, 19, was a devoted son and a talented basketball player. In 2005, he led his Glen Oaks High School team to a Louisiana state championship and an amazing 36-0 season. As a starting freshman point guard at the University of Southern California, he was a sensation. He was gifted in other areas, too. He had a magnetic personality and a huge smile. He was fun and silly and beloved. Ryan worked hard at school. He had a 3.0 grade point average at one of the world’s leading private research universities.
Ryan and his mom, Paulette, were extremely close. The single mother of an only child, Paulette considered Ryan her heart and her best friend. When Ryan moved almost 2,000 miles away from his hometown Baton Rouge to go to USC, Paulette knew she would miss him dearly, but that this was a sacrifice she would have to make. She believed in Ryan improving his future through education. As many as six times a day, they spoke by phone about basketball practice, how things were going, and of course, whether or not Ryan was eating well.
Mother’s Day 2005 was going to be a special time. Ryan arrived in Baton Rouge for a month-long visit after his first year away from home. That weekend, Ryan and his mom talked about her moving to California where she could be closer to him. Then, one day before Ryan and Paulette were to attend church on Mother’s Day to celebrate their special mother-son bond, Ryan was shot and killed while riding home from a party in a friend’s car.
Despite her grief, Paulette is proud of what Ryan accomplished in his short life, especially academically. She always knew Ryan was destined for greatness. She hoped his life would inspire others. Today, Paulette’s hopes are realized in the form of a scholarship that promotes the life-changing benefits of education.
The First Chance® Scholarship Program, established by University of Phoenix and Tom Arnold in 2006, honors individuals who have shown the desire to improve their lives, and the lives of those around them, through education.
The hope that this program represents is in the memory of Ryan Francis.
