Coca-Cola Scholars Program

Overview

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the signature merit scholarship of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation (CCSF), supporting 150 graduating high school seniors across the United States with $20,000 awards, leadership development, and alumni networking every year. The foundation confirmed that the Phase 1 application for the 2026 Coke Scholars class closed at 5 p.m. Eastern on September 30, 2025, aligning the published deadline with the organization’s official admissions timeline.【37ccdb†L4-L6】 This recurring program has powered nearly four decades of scholar cohorts who amplify community impact projects, launch social enterprises, and push for equity in education. Each award unlocks a multi-year journey that blends tuition funding with mentorship, service-learning, and access to a 6,900-person alumni family embedded in nonprofits, Fortune 500 companies, public service, and the arts.

Applicants encounter four program phases, beginning with a streamlined online form that opens every August 1. The first phase requires no essays, transcripts, or recommendations, making the initial barrier to entry low for busy seniors balancing AP coursework, varsity sports, and part-time jobs. Students who demonstrate standout leadership, academic strength, and commitment to service advance through increasingly detailed review rounds that culminate in a regional interview. Finalists are flown to Atlanta for the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend, where they join seminars on collaborative problem-solving, meet corporate and foundation executives, and build relationships that extend beyond graduation. Throughout this process, CCSF emphasizes the twin pillars of leadership and service that have defined the foundation since its creation in 1986 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of The Coca-Cola Company.

Mission, History, and Program Vision

The program emerged from The Coca-Cola Company’s desire to reinvest in the communities that sustain the beverage brand. CCSF began awarding scholarships in 1989, and the initiative now distributes $3 million annually through the flagship award, four-year Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Grants, and targeted support for military-affiliated families. The Scholars Program remains CCSF’s most competitive opportunity. Its mission statement underscores advancing “exceptional young leaders dedicated to service,” and the foundation highlights how alumni drive change in sectors such as environmental sustainability, civic engagement, and STEM innovation. Scholars have launched organizations addressing clean water access, first-generation student support, and youth civic participation. CCSF staff maintain an active alumni engagement office that connects recent graduates with mentors and convenes leadership summits. This long-term investment differentiates the award from single-year scholarships and explains why the foundation describes the program as a “leadership community” rather than a transaction.

Award Package and Financial Benefits

Recipients receive a $20,000 scholarship paid directly to their accredited U.S. college or university over the course of undergraduate study. Funds can cover tuition, fees, books, and on-campus housing. CCSF allows flexibility for students enrolled in co-op programs or accelerated degrees, and the foundation coordinates with financial aid offices to avoid displacing need-based grants. Scholars also obtain access to enrichment resources, including a summer Leadership Development Institute that focuses on design thinking, systems change, and ethical decision-making. Alumni-led affinity groups, such as the Social Entrepreneurs Circle and Public Policy Collective, organize webinars and career treks. For seniors weighing multiple scholarship offers, the combination of cash support and leadership infrastructure can significantly reduce college debt while boosting professional networks.

Eligibility and Competitive Profile

To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, refugees, asylees, Cuban-Haitian entrants, or humanitarian parolees. They must graduate during the current academic year from a U.S.-based high school (including home school, virtual, and Department of Defense schools) with a minimum cumulative 3.0 unweighted GPA. Students planning to attend a two-year college with the intention to transfer are eligible, as are those enrolling directly in four-year institutions. Children or grandchildren of current Coca-Cola employees, officers, or owners are not eligible, preserving the program’s impartiality. Competitive candidates document sustained leadership roles—student body president, founder of a service initiative, robotics captain, youth health advocate—and quantify the impact achieved through these commitments. Many past scholars show resilience in the face of adversity, whether navigating family responsibilities, immigration challenges, or financial hardship.

Application Timeline and Phases

The CCSF website outlines four sequential phases that applicants must understand to map their schedule.【35809c†L1-L9】 The Phase 1 application opens every August 1 and closes September 30 at 5 p.m. Eastern. By late October, CCSF notifies all applicants, and roughly 1% become Semifinalists who complete Phase 2 during November. This stage introduces essays, an unofficial transcript, and a recommendation. Phase 3 invites approximately 250 Regional Finalists to participate in virtual or in-person interviews held in January. CCSF’s selection committees—composed of alumni, educators, and foundation partners—evaluate communication skills, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving under pressure. Following Phase 3, 150 students are named Coke Scholars and proceed to Phase 4 programming, which includes Scholars Weekend in Atlanta during April and the spring awarding of scholarship funds. Applicants should also account for internal high-school nomination processes; some campuses require students to submit materials earlier than CCSF’s official deadline.

Application Components and Tips

The Phase 1 form collects biographical data, leadership roles, honors, community service hours, employment, and extracurricular involvement. Applicants should structure entries with action verbs, quantifiable metrics, and succinct descriptions (e.g., “Founded a peer-mentoring nonprofit that matched 120 first-generation freshmen with upperclass mentors, increasing retention by 18%”). When advancing to Phase 2, candidates craft personal essays reflecting on leadership philosophy, moral courage, and how they uplift their communities. Recommendation letters should come from mentors who have witnessed the applicant leading substantive change, not just coaches or teachers who can only comment on personality. CCSF encourages semifinalists to upload resumes or portfolios if the portal allows, ensuring reviewers see evidence of impact. Students should set calendar reminders for each portal task, use collaborative tools like Google Docs for draft feedback, and rehearse interview responses with trusted advisors before Phase 3.

Selection Criteria and Evaluation Insights

CCSF’s review rubric emphasizes leadership, service, and academics in roughly equal measure. Reviewers seek high-achieving students who translate vision into action, mobilizing peers and stakeholders to solve real problems. Applicants should articulate a theory of change—how their initiatives address root causes, what metrics capture success, and how the scholarship will help scale their efforts. The foundation values authenticity and humility; stories detailing personal growth, lessons learned from failure, or community partnerships carry weight. Demonstrating cultural competence, inclusive leadership, and collaboration across diverse groups helps applications stand out. During interviews, Regional Finalists should prepare to answer scenario-based questions, such as how they would adapt a program to a new community or respond to ethical dilemmas. Maintaining eye contact, listening actively, and asking thoughtful questions about the alumni network signal readiness to join the cohort.

Scholar Experience and Alumni Network

Once selected, Coke Scholars engage in a multi-day orientation where they explore Atlanta’s civic landscape, participate in service projects, and workshop leadership challenges with peers. The weekend often includes sessions led by alumni, Coca-Cola executives, and social innovators tackling issues from climate change to college access. Scholars join a private digital platform called Coke Scholars Connect, facilitating mentorship and collaboration across cohorts. Alumni programs include the Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Summit, which convenes every five years, and regional service days coordinated nationwide. CCSF invests in storytelling through the Coke Scholars podcast, blog features, and social media spotlights, amplifying scholars’ work to inspire future applicants. Graduates can apply for the Redefine Scholars Grants, a microgrant initiative that funds postsecondary impact projects.

Recurring Opportunity and Planning Considerations

Because the scholarship is awarded annually, juniors should begin preparing documents well before the August 1 launch. This includes maintaining updated activity logs, drafting narratives that capture impact, and building relationships with recommenders. Underclassmen can explore CCSF resources like the Coke Scholars Program Prep webinars to understand expectations early. Families should review college financial planning tools, as the $20,000 scholarship may interact with institutional aid packages. CCSF advises applicants to consult each prospective college’s financial aid office to confirm how outside scholarships affect need-based grants.

Additional Resources and Contact Points

Students can attend CCSF-hosted virtual information sessions, follow @cokescholars on social media for updates, and review the Scholar Profiles page to see examples of past awardees. Questions about eligibility can be directed to [email protected]. The foundation also maintains a searchable FAQ page covering transcript submission, recommendation guidelines, and deferral policies. Applicants facing technical portal issues should contact the support desk listed in the application portal well before the deadline. Maintaining a digital folder with PDFs of accomplishments, certificates, and impact metrics ensures quick responses to supplemental document requests.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program remains one of the most prestigious and well-resourced scholarships available to U.S. high school seniors. By aligning personal narratives with the foundation’s leadership-and-service ethos, staying ahead of the multi-phase timeline, and leveraging the extensive alumni community, applicants can translate their high school achievements into college success and sustained civic leadership.

Application Timeline and Selection Phases

Phase 1 opens on August 1 and closes in early October. Applicants submit academic information, leadership roles, community service hours, and short responses. Approximately 1,500 semifinalists are announced in late November and invited to complete Phase 2 by mid-January, which includes essays, short-answer prompts, and two recommendations. From that pool, about 250 Regional Finalists participate in virtual interviews in February. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation announces 150 new scholars in March, followed by orientation and scholarship disbursement planning in April.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can homeschooled students apply? Yes. Homeschooled seniors who meet the eligibility criteria and can document academic performance are welcome to apply.

Are children of Coca-Cola employees eligible? Dependents of Coca-Cola Company, Coca-Cola bottling company, or Coca-Cola bottler partners are not eligible for the scholarship.

Do I need to demonstrate financial need? Financial need is considered but not a primary selection factor. Leadership, service, and academic achievement drive selection decisions.

Can the scholarship be deferred? Scholars must begin college in the academic year immediately following high school graduation. Deferrals are rare and require approval from the foundation.

Is the scholarship renewable? The $20,000 award is disbursed over up to four years, contingent on maintaining full-time enrollment and good academic standing.

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Insider Tips to Win Coca-Cola Scholars Program

• Mirror The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation’s priority language. Pull phrasing from the latest call documents when you describe high school, merit-based, leadership, and related priorities, so panelists immediately recognize strategic fit.
• Control your timeline. Work backward from September 30, 2025 to schedule draft reviews, compliance checks, and approvals at least two weeks before submission.
• Prove execution capacity. Pair your narrative with data from United States and letters or MOUs that show you already have partners, facilities, and governance to deliver on the workplan.