Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

As Coca-Cola was approaching its centennial in 1986, leaders in the bottling industry decided to make a large financial gift that then became the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. In its first year, 150 graduating seniors planning on attending college were awarded four-year grants. Later, those grants grew into $20,000 scholarships for 50 students annually and $10,000 scholarships for another 200 students annually ($5,000/year for 4 years and $2,500/year for four years respectively).

Now, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards $20,000 grants to 150 rising college freshman annually.

Typically, the Foundation receives between 85,000 and 110,000 applications, from which around 2,000 are selected as Semifinalists. Regional representation across the United States is considered in this step.

The 2,000 Semifinalists are then asked to complete a written application to select approximately 250 Regional Finalists. From this stage, Regional Finalists complete interviews with prior recipients and CCSF staff after which 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected.

Coca-Cola Scholars are invited to Atlanta for Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend, where they participate in a Leadership Development Institute to further develop their leadership skills, tour local landmarks, engage with Coca-Cola Scholar alumni, and participate in a group community service project. The Scholars are also the guests of honor at the annual Scholars Banquet, where they are celebrated by representatives from the Coca-Cola system, educators, local dignitaries, and sponsors.[1]

In order to be eligible for a Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship, one must be a current high school or home-school senior planning to graduate from a school or program in the United States during the academic year in which application is made. Additionally, students must be U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Permanent Residents, Temporary Residents (legalization program), Refugees, Asylee, Cuban-Haitian Entrants, or Humanitarian Parolees. Furthermore, they must plan to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution and carry a minimum 3.00 GPA at the end of their junior year of high school. Applicants may not be children or grandchildren of employees, officers, or owners of Coca-Cola bottling companies, The Coca-Cola Company or any other bottler or Company divisions or subsidiaries.[2]

Elise Stefanik, U.S. Representative from New York
Ben Sasse, U.S. Senator from Nebraska
Michael Tubbs, Mayor of Stockton, California
Alex B. Morse, Mayor of Holyoke, Massachusetts
Kathryn Minshew, Founder of The Muse
Cara Mund, Miss America 2018
Ericka Dunlap, Miss America 2003
Katori Hall, playwright, journalist, and actress
Leila Janah, Founder and CEO of Samasource and LXMI
Paula Broadwell, Military scholar and author
Katrina Shankland, Wisconsin state representative
Nadya Okamoto, social entrepreneur and activist
Neha Gupta, founder of Empower Orphans and recipient of the Children's International Peace Prize