Chick-fil-A Community Scholars
Offered by Chick-fil-A, Inc.
About This Scholarship
The Chick-fil-A Community Scholars program is Chick-fil-A's community-facing scholarship, open to students who are not connected to the company at all — in fact, Chick-fil-A employees and their dependents or spouses are expressly ineligible. Administered by Scholarship America, the program awards up to $25,000 each to as many as 13 students, one of the largest single awards among Scholarship America's public programs.
Eligibility reaches well beyond the typical high-school-senior pool: current high school seniors, college undergraduates, and graduate students may all apply, as long as they are at least 18 by July 15, 2027, live in the United States, Puerto Rico, or Canada, and plan to enroll full time for the 2027-28 academic year. Citizenship is not required — DACA recipients and international students residing in the U.S. or Canada may apply.
Selection emphasizes community involvement: applicants need a 3.0 GPA plus documented community service, extracurricular activity, or leadership in the 12 months before the deadline. Winners also join the year-long Chick-fil-A Scholars Program for mentoring and leadership development.
Eligibility
- High school senior, college undergraduate, or graduate student, age 18 by July 15, 2027
- Reside in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or Canada (citizenship not required; DACA recipients eligible)
- Plan to enroll full time for the 2027-28 academic year at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school
- Minimum 3.0 GPA and community service, extracurricular, or leadership involvement in the prior 12 months
- Chick-fil-A employees and dependents/spouses of employees or Operators are NOT eligible
How To Apply
- Create an account and complete the online application on the Scholarship America portal between August 21 and November 3, 2026 (3:00 p.m. CT)
- Upload current transcripts and the first two pages of your (or your parents') IRS 1040 or Canadian T-1 tax return
- Have at least one online recommendation form submitted on your behalf within three business days after the deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Chick-fil-A employees apply for the Community Scholars award?
No. This program is specifically for the general public — Chick-fil-A employees and dependents or spouses of employees and Operators are not eligible. Team members have a separate Remarkable Futures scholarship.
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen?
No. Applicants must reside in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or Canada, but citizenship or permanent residency is not required, and DACA recipients and international students may apply.