Coca-Cola Scholars Program Opening Soon

About This Scholarship

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program awards $20,000 apiece to 150 high school seniors every year, making it one of the largest merit programs in the country by both check size and class size. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, founded in 1986, has awarded more than $90 million to over 7,200 scholars to date and currently distributes $3.55 million a year across its programs.

Selection emphasizes leadership, service, and academic achievement, and runs in four phases. The initial online application — open August 3 through September 30 at 5 p.m. Eastern — requires no essays, transcripts, or recommendations, so there's little reason not to enter. Roughly 1% of applicants advance to semifinalist in November, when essays, a transcript, and a recommendation come due. About 250 regional finalists interview with alumni and staff in late January, and the final 150 are confirmed at a required Scholars Weekend in Atlanta each April.

Applicants need at least a 3.0 GPA and plans to attend an accredited U.S. college; children and grandchildren of Coca-Cola Company employees are excluded. Given the 1% semifinalist cut, treat the quick first-round application as a low-cost entry and save the essay effort for later rounds.

Eligibility

• Current high school senior in the United States
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident (and select other statuses)
• Planning to enroll in an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution
• Minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA

How To Apply

• Complete the online application, including activities and achievements
• Semifinalists complete essays and provide transcripts and recommendations
• Regional finalist interviews determine the final 150 Scholars

Apply Now →

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