Coca Cola Scholarship Program in USA ($20,000 Award)

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation supports more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, with annual scholarships of $3.55 million awarded through 3 nationally recognized programs.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. 

The 2027 application (for high school students graduating in the 2026-2027 academic year) will open on August 3, 2026.

To be considered for the Coca Cola Foundation Scholars Program, you must:

• have the capacity to lead and serve, and show commitment to making a significant impact on your school and community. 

• Currently enrolled high school/home-schooled students attending school in one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or select DoD schools who will graduate high school during the 2026-2027 academic school year (students graduating from an American or expat school abroad are not eligible for this award; individuals who have already graduated from high school are not eligible)

• U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Permanent Residents, Refugees, Asylees, Cuban-Haitian Entrants, or Humanitarian Parolees – based on the guidelines utilized by U.S. Department of Education for Federal Financial Aid eligibility

• Expecting to receive high school diploma during current academic year

• Planning to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution

• Able to verify a minimum overall B/3.0 GPA in high school coursework

Applicants may not be:

• Children or grandchildren of current employees, officers, or owners of Coca-Cola bottling companies, The Coca-Cola Company, Company divisions, or subsidiaries.

• Children or grandchildren of former employees who are currently receiving retirement benefits based on their previous employment with Coca-Cola bottling companies, The Coca-Cola Company, Company divisions, or subsidiaries.

• International students (with the exception of students at DoD schools)

• High school graduates

• Temporary residents

150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship.

To apply for the Coca Cola Scholarship Program, interested and qualified candidates should;

• 1

  Click the green button below to go to the foundation’s website.

• 2

  Submit your application for the scholarship on or before the deadline.

• 3

  The Phase 1 application is open August 3 – September 30 each year to students currently enrolled in high school with plans to graduate during the current academic year and who meet the other eligibility criteria listed above. This phase requires no essays, no transcript, and no recommendations.

• 4

  By the end of October, all applicants will be notified of their application status. About 1% will be named Semifinalists and invited to complete a Phase 2 application due in November with essays, a transcript, and a recommendation.

• 5

  From the ~1,200 Semifinalists, 250 will advance as Regional Finalists and will participate in a final interview with Coke Scholar alumni and staff in late January or early February. All Semifinalists will be notified of their status via email early in the new year.

• 6

  Following interviews, 150 Regional Finalists are invited in April to the required Coke Scholars Weekend in Atlanta to confirm selection as Coca-Cola Scholars.