Scholarship Overview
Overview
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is one of the most prestigious achievement-based scholarships for high school seniors in the United States. Established in 1986, the program recognizes students for their leadership capacity, commitment to service, and potential to make significant impacts on their schools and communities. Each year, 150 scholars receive $20,000 to support their undergraduate education.
Since its founding, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has provided more than $90 million in scholarships to over 7,200 students nationwide. The foundation supports more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year across its three nationally recognized programs, with annual scholarship awards totaling $3.55 million.
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Scholarship Value
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship provides:
- Award amount: $20,000 per scholar
- Number of awards: 150 scholarships annually
- Total annual investment: $3 million through this program specifically
- Payment structure: Distributed to support undergraduate study at accredited U.S. post-secondary institutions
This is not a need-based scholarship. Awards are determined purely on achievement, leadership, and service.
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Eligibility Requirements
Who Can Apply
Applicants for the 2027 Coca-Cola Scholars Program must meet all of the following criteria:
- Currently enrolled high school or home-schooled students attending school in one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or select Department of Defense (DoD) schools
- Must graduate high school during the 2026-2027 academic school year
- U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Permanent Residents, Refugees, Asylees, Cuban-Haitian Entrants, or Humanitarian Parolees (based on U.S. Department of Education Federal Financial Aid eligibility guidelines)
- 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
Who Cannot Apply
The following individuals are ineligible:
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- 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 currently receiving retirement benefits from Coca-Cola entities
- International students (except those at DoD schools)
- Students graduating from American or expat schools abroad (including U.S. citizens in these locations)
- Students from Guam, the Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa
- High school graduates who have already completed their diploma
- Temporary residents
- Non-traditional students or those who took gap years
- DACA students not eligible for Federal Financial Aid
Application Timeline and Process
The Coca-Cola Scholars selection process occurs in four distinct phases:
Phase 1: Online Application
Dates: August 3, 2026 – September 30, 2026, at 5 pm Eastern
The initial application requires no essays, no transcript, and no recommendations. This streamlined process allows students to complete the application efficiently.
Phase 2: Semifinalists
By the end of October 2026, all applicants receive notification of their status. Approximately 1% of applicants advance as Semifinalists and are invited to complete a Phase 2 application due in November, which includes essays, a transcript, and a recommendation.
Phase 3: Regional Finalists
From approximately 1,200 Semifinalists, 250 advance as Regional Finalists. These students participate in final interviews with Coca-Cola Scholar alumni and staff in late January or early February 2027. All Semifinalists receive status notification via email early in the new year.
Phase 4: Coca-Cola Scholars Selection
Following interviews, 150 Regional Finalists are invited in April 2027 to the required Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend in Atlanta to confirm selection as Coca-Cola Scholars.
Application Requirements
Phase 1 Documents
- No essays required
- No transcript required
- No letters of recommendation required
Phase 2 Documents (for Semifinalists only)
- Essays
- Official high school transcript
- Letter of recommendation
Technical Requirements
Applications must be submitted through the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation application portal. The system automatically saves information every few seconds. Applicants should click the save button every 10-15 minutes as additional precaution. The application is tested on Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Safari. Technical support is available through the foundation’s support request system.
Important: Applications are not accepted via email, fax, or mail. Supplementary materials submitted outside the portal are not accepted.
Selection Criteria
Applicants are evaluated on three core pillars:
- Leadership: Demonstrated capacity to lead and influence positive change
- Academics: Strong academic record with minimum 3.0 GPA
- Service: Commitment to making significant impact on schools and communities
Additional Coca-Cola Foundation Programs
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation operates two additional scholarship programs through partnership with Phi Theta Kappa:
Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team
Administered by Phi Theta Kappa, this program awards 200 stipends totaling up to $237,500 annually:
- 50 New Century Gold Scholars: $1,500 each
- 50 Silver Scholars: $1,250 each
- 50 Bronze Scholars: $1,000 each
Application details available at www.ptk.org.
Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise
Phi Theta Kappa’s first scholarship program for members enrolled in community colleges. Awards 200 scholarships of $1,000 each. Application details at www.ptk.org.
Resources for Additional Funding
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation maintains a comprehensive list of scholarship resources for students who are not selected, including BigFuture, Scholly, Fastweb, FinAid, Scholarships360, and specialized programs for Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and other student populations.
Important Notes for International Applicants
This scholarship is specifically designed for students studying within the United States educational system. Students from Zimbabwe, SADC countries, or other African nations are only eligible if they:
- Are currently attending high school in one of the 50 U.S. states, D.C., Puerto Rico, or select DoD schools
- Meet all citizenship/residency requirements listed above
- Will graduate during the 2026-2027 academic year
Students attending American or international schools in Africa, or African students abroad without U.S. permanent residency status, are not eligible for this program.
