Coolidge Scholarship
Offered by Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation
About This Scholarship
The Coolidge Scholarship is one of the few full-ride awards a high school junior can win a full year before applying to college. Run by the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, it covers tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study at any accredited U.S. college or university the scholar chooses — the money follows the student, not a partner school list.
The 2026-27 cycle is open to current juniors (or homeschool equivalent) who will enroll as first-time college freshmen in fall 2028. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents by the application deadline. Selection emphasizes academic excellence and an interest in public policy, debate, and the values associated with President Coolidge; the application asks for three essays, three short responses, a transcript, a resume, and two letters of recommendation.
The process runs in rounds: a second assessment in late January 2027, finalist interviews in Vermont in spring, and outcomes for all applicants by June 1, 2027. Winning as a junior means entering senior year with college fully paid for — a timeline advantage almost no other major scholarship offers.
Eligibility
- Current high school juniors (or homeschool equivalent) intending to enroll full-time as first-time college freshmen in fall 2028
- U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents by the application deadline
- Juniors taking some college courses (dual enrollment) remain eligible
- Immediate family of Coolidge Foundation employees, trustees, or significant donors are not eligible
How To Apply
- Create a profile on the Coolidge Scholars application portal at coolidgescholars.org.
- Submit academic information, your transcript, and a resume.
- Complete three essay prompts and three short-response prompts, and agree to the honesty statement.
- Arrange two letters of recommendation — everything, letters included, is due December 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM Pacific.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Coolidge Scholarship?
Current high school juniors (or the homeschool equivalent) who plan to enroll as first-time, full-time college freshmen in fall 2028, and who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents by the deadline.
What does the Coolidge Scholarship cover?
It is a full ride: tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study at any accredited U.S. college or university the scholar attends.
When will applicants hear back?
Second-round notifications go out in late January 2027, finalists interview in Vermont in spring, and every applicant is notified of the outcome by June 1, 2027.