Applications are currently open for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship 2027, offering 150 scholarships worth $20,000 each to outstanding high school seniors planning to study in the USA.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is an achievement-based scholarship that recognizes students for their academic achievement, leadership, service and commitment to making a positive impact in their schools and communities. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation supports more than 1,400 college students each year through its three nationally recognized scholarship programmes.
SUMMARY
- Scholarship Sponsor(s): Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
- Host Institution(s): Accredited U.S. Post-Secondary Institutions
- Scholarship Type: Achievement-Based
- Scholarship Worth: $20,000
- Number of Awards: 150
- Study Level: Undergraduate
- Eligible Applicants: Qualifying High School Seniors in the United States
See Also: Top 10 Universities in USA Offering Fully Funded Admission [without IELTS]
Scholarship Overview
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship is one of the leading achievement-based undergraduate scholarship programmes in the United States.
Each year, 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected to receive $20,000 scholarships toward their college education. Selection particularly recognizes students who demonstrate strong academic performance as well as the capacity to lead and serve their communities.
With the addition of the 2026 class, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has supported more than 7,200 scholars with over $90 million in scholarships since its establishment in 1986.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship 2027, applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled in high school or home school and attending school in one of the 50 U.S. states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or select Department of Defense schools.
- Be graduating from high school during the referenced academic year.
- Expect to receive a high school diploma during the current academic year.
- Plan to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution.
- Have a minimum overall B/3.0 GPA in high school coursework.
- Be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, U.S. Permanent Resident, Refugee, Asylee, Cuban-Haitian Entrant or Humanitarian Parolee as defined under the applicable U.S. federal financial aid guidelines.
Applicants are not eligible if they are:
- International students, except eligible students attending select DoD schools.
- High school graduates.
- Temporary residents.
- Children or grandchildren of current employees, officers or owners of Coca-Cola bottling companies, The Coca-Cola Company, its divisions or subsidiaries.
- Children or grandchildren of certain former Coca-Cola employees currently receiving retirement benefits from their previous employment.
Students attending American or expatriate schools outside the United States are also not eligible.
Scholarship Benefits
Each successful Coca-Cola Scholar receives:
- A $20,000 college scholarship.
- Access to leadership development opportunities.
- Membership in the Coca-Cola Scholars community.
- Opportunities for mentorship, networking and personal and professional development.
A total of 150 students are selected annually for the $20,000 Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship.
Also Check: University of Birmingham High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships 2027
How to Apply
Applications are completed online through the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation application system.
Interested applicants should:
- Access the official Coca-Cola Scholars application portal and create an applicant account.
- Complete the initial eligibility questions to confirm that you meet the scholarship requirements.
- Complete the Phase 1 application with the requested academic, school, leadership, service and extracurricular information.
- Review the information provided and submit the application before the deadline.
- Applicants selected as Semifinalists will be invited to complete a more detailed Phase 2 application.
- Semifinalists progressing further will become Regional Finalists and participate in an interview before the final 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected.
Importantly, the initial Phase 1 application does not require essays, transcripts or recommendation letters.
Selection Process
The Coca-Cola Scholars selection process takes place in several stages:
- Phase 1 – Online Application: Eligible high school seniors submit the initial application.
- Phase 2 – Semifinalists: Approximately 1% of applicants advance and submit additional information, including essays, a transcript and a recommendation.
- Phase 3 – Regional Finalists: Around 250 Semifinalists advance to an interview with Coca-Cola Scholars alumni and staff.
- Phase 4 – Coca-Cola Scholars: 150 Regional Finalists are ultimately selected to receive the $20,000 scholarship.
The programme is extremely competitive. For the 2026 class, more than 107,000 students applied, 1,238 became Semifinalists, 250 advanced as Regional Finalists and 150 were ultimately selected as Coca-Cola Scholars.
Application Deadline: September 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
