Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
An achievement-based scholarship recognizing high school seniors for leadership, academics, and service — one of the largest corporate scholarship programs in the U.S.
Who should apply
Current high school seniors (including home-schooled students) who will graduate during the 2026–2027 academic year, hold a minimum 3.0/B GPA, have eligible citizenship/residency, and are eligible to apply for U.S. federal financial aid.
Eligibility
- Enrolled high school or home-schooled students graduating during the 2026–2027 academic year
- Minimum overall B / 3.0 GPA in high school coursework
- U.S. Citizen, National, Permanent Resident, Refugee, Asylee, Cuban-Haitian Entrant, or Humanitarian Parolee
- Eligible to apply for U.S. Federal Financial Aid
- Students whose parent is a Coca-Cola employee may not apply
- Must pass a short online eligibility quiz before applying
What you get
- $20,000 college scholarship
- Membership in a community of 7,050+ Coca-Cola Scholars alumni
What the application involves
- Submitted through the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation online portal
- Phase 1 (initial application): no essays, transcript, or recommendations
- Phase 2 (for those who advance): essays, a transcript, and a recommendation
- An eligibility quiz before the full application
Application tips
- Because the initial phase is short, focus your responses on demonstrating leadership, service, and impact.
- Prepare for Phase 2 early: line up a recommender and request your transcript ahead of the deadline.
- For Phase 2 essays, use specific stories that show measurable impact and growth.
- Submit before the 5pm Eastern deadline — portal deadlines are firm.
Good to know
Achievement-based (not need-based) — the largest corporate-sponsored achievement-based scholarship in the U.S. 150 Scholars selected each year. For 2027, the application is open ~Aug 3 – Sept 30, 2026. 250 Regional Finalists interview in early January; 150 are named Scholars. Recipients have several years to use the award.
