The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is run by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and pays $20,000 to each of 150 high school seniors a year, chosen for leadership, academics and service. The application for the 2027 class ran from August 3 to 5 p.m. Eastern on September 30, 2026, and it is now closed, so the next chance is for students graduating in 2027-28.
Everything below comes from the foundation’s own Apply page and FAQ, checked in November 2026.
Who is eligible for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship
For the 2027 cycle, the foundation required applicants to be:
- Currently enrolled high school or home-schooled students graduating during the 2026-2027 school year.
- Attending school in the 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico or select Department of Defense schools.
- U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents, refugees, asylees, Cuban-Haitian entrants or humanitarian parolees. The FAQ says applicants “must meet these requirements at the time of application.”
- “Able to verify a minimum overall B/3.0 GPA in high school coursework.”
- Planning to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. postsecondary institution.
Who cannot apply: international students (except those at DoD schools), students who have already graduated from high school, temporary residents, and children or grandchildren of Coca-Cola employees, officers, owners and certain retirees. That last rule catches families who may not think of themselves as “Coca-Cola” families, so check it if a relative works in the Coca-Cola system.
What the award pays
Each Coca-Cola Scholar receives $20,000, and the foundation selects 150 scholars each year. The foundation describes the award as achievement-based, not need-based, so family income does not affect who is chosen.
Because the award is not tied to need, it can be stacked with need-based grants. Report it to your college’s aid office as soon as you accept it; outside scholarships can change a need-based aid package.
How selection works
| Phase | What happens | Timing (2027 cycle) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Online application | “No essays, no transcript, and no recommendations” | Aug 3 to Sep 30, 2026 |
| 2. Semifinalists | About 1% of applicants advance and submit essays, a transcript and a recommendation | Notified by late October; application due in November |
| 3. Regional Finalists | About 250 of roughly 1,200 semifinalists interview with alumni and staff | Late January or early February |
| 4. Coca-Cola Scholars | 150 Regional Finalists are invited to the required Scholars Weekend in Atlanta | April |
The math is worth knowing. If roughly 1,200 semifinalists represent about 1% of applicants, the first round is decided entirely on the short form. Phase 1 is the whole game for most students.
Attendance at Scholars Weekend in Atlanta is required to confirm selection. If you become a finalist, keep that April weekend open.
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Deadlines and timeline
The 2027 application closed at 5 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The foundation had not posted dates for the next cycle when we checked. The last two published facts to plan around: the application opened in early August and closed at the end of September.
If you are a high school junior now, plan to have your activity list ready by the end of summer before senior year. Seniors who missed the September 30 date cannot apply late; the foundation accepts applications only through its online portal.
How to make a strong application
The foundation’s own FAQ points to specific habits:
- Treat the activity list as your essay. Phase 1 has no essays, so the foundation sees only what you list. Be precise about your role, hours and results in leadership and service.
- Use the right sections. Non-school activities go in Community Activities. Dual enrollment courses should be marked College Credit/College Course.
- Use the higher grade. If a course has only term grades, the FAQ tells you to enter the higher term grade.
- Save often. The form autosaves, but the foundation suggests clicking Save every 10 to 15 minutes. Saving returns you to the homepage, so do not panic when it does.
- Use a supported browser. For login errors, try Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari, a private window, or cleared cookies.
- Home-schooled? List your collective or organization head as principal and your home-school teacher as counselor. If parents are the only instructors, list them.
Mailed, emailed or faxed applications and supplemental materials are not accepted. Do not send extra documents; they will not be read.
Similar programs to consider
- The BURGER KING Scholars Program, which, unlike Coca-Cola, weighs financial need and work experience.
- The Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship for high-achieving seniors with financial need.
- The Live Más Scholarship, which asks for no GPA or test scores.
- Our free scholarship finder and our guide to merit vs. need-based aid.
Coca-Cola Scholars FAQ
Do I need essays to apply?
Not in Phase 1. Essays, a transcript and a recommendation are required only if you are named a semifinalist, about 1% of applicants.
Does family income matter?
No. The foundation says the scholarship is achievement-based, not need-based, and evaluates leadership, academics and service.
Can a high school graduate or college student apply?
No. High school graduates are not eligible; you must apply during your senior year of high school or home school.
Can DACA recipients apply?
The published list covers citizens, nationals, permanent residents, refugees, asylees, Cuban-Haitian entrants and humanitarian parolees, and it excludes temporary residents. If your status is not on the list, ask the foundation directly before the next cycle opens.