Coca-Cola Scholars Program 2027 ($20,000 Scholarship)
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The Coca-Cola Scholars Program 2027 is a $20,000 achievement-based scholarship for U.S. high school seniors graduating during the 2026–2027 academic year. It is open only to U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents, and certain other eligible statuses — international students are not eligible. The application deadline is 5 pm Eastern on September 30, 2026.
INTRODUCTION
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is one of the most well-known and respected achievement-based scholarships in the United States. Run by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, it awards $20,000 college scholarships to 150 outstanding high school seniors every year — recognizing leadership, community service, and the drive to make a real difference, not just grades on a transcript.
The scholarship is offered by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, established in 1986 to mark The Coca-Cola Company’s centennial, and funded jointly by The Coca-Cola Company and its U.S. bottling partners. Since then, the Foundation has awarded more than $90 million to over 7,200 Coca-Cola Scholars nationwide, making it one of the most prestigious student leadership scholarships in the country.
It’s important to know upfront: this scholarship is not open to international students. Eligibility is tied to U.S. citizenship, national, or permanent resident status (or similar federal aid eligibility categories), and applicants must currently attend high school in one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or select Department of Defense schools. If that’s you — and you’re graduating in the 2026–2027 school year — this guide walks through exactly what the scholarship covers, who can apply, and how the four-phase selection process works.
QUICK OVERVIEW TABLE
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship 2027 |
| Host Country | United States |
| Host University | Any accredited U.S. post-secondary institution (student’s choice) |
| Degree Level | Undergraduate (incoming first-year students) |
| Funded By | The Coca-Cola Company and U.S.-based Coca-Cola Bottlers, via the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation |
| Scholarship Type | Achievement-based, partial (one-time award) |
| Coverage | $20,000 one-time college scholarship |
| Eligible Countries | United States only — international students are not eligible |
| Application Deadline | September 30, 2026, 5 pm Eastern |
| Study Mode | Full-time undergraduate study |
| Duration | One-time award (150 recipients per year) |
| IELTS Required | Not applicable — U.S. domestic scholarship |
| Application Fee | None |
About the Coca-Cola Scholars Program
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program was created in 1986 to mark 100 years of The Coca-Cola Company, and has grown into the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the United States. Each year, 150 graduating high school seniors are selected as Coca-Cola Scholars and awarded $20,000 to help fund their undergraduate studies.
Unlike need-based aid, this scholarship is entirely achievement-based — applicants are judged on leadership, academic performance, and a genuine track record of service to their school and community. It’s also highly competitive: recent cycles have drawn well over 100,000 applicants competing for just 150 spots.
Beyond the money, Coca-Cola Scholars join a lifelong community of past recipients, gain access to mentorship and networking opportunities, and are invited to the required Coke Scholars Weekend in Atlanta, where their selection is formally confirmed. The Foundation also runs two related but separate programs for two-year college students: the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team and Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise, both administered through Phi Theta Kappa.
SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS
✔ A one-time $20,000 college scholarship
✔ No repayment required
✔ Recognition as a Coca-Cola Scholar, a nationally respected distinction
✔ Access to a lifelong network of Coca-Cola Scholars alumni
✔ Mentorship opportunities from Foundation staff and past scholars
✔ An all-expenses-paid trip to the required Coke Scholars Weekend in Atlanta
✔ Consideration is achievement-based, not tied to financial need
Note: this scholarship does not cover full tuition, housing, or living costs — it is a one-time $20,000 contribution toward the cost of an undergraduate degree at an accredited U.S. institution.
AVAILABLE PROGRAMS
The flagship Coca-Cola Scholars Program is for incoming first-year undergraduate students at any accredited U.S. post-secondary institution — the scholarship isn’t tied to a specific university or major.
The Foundation also separately funds:
- Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Program (administered by Phi Theta Kappa) — 200 stipends across four tiers, up to $1,500 each
- Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise (also via Phi Theta Kappa) — 200 scholarships of $1,000 each for community college members
Both of these are separate applications, run through www.ptk.org, not the main Coca-Cola Scholars Program portal.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To apply for the 2027 Coca-Cola Scholars Program, you must:
- Be a currently enrolled high school or home-schooled student attending school in one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or select Department of Defense schools
- Be expected to graduate high school during the 2026–2027 academic year
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, refugee, asylee, Cuban-Haitian entrant, or humanitarian parolee, based on U.S. Department of Education Federal Financial Aid guidelines
- Plan to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution
- Have a minimum overall GPA of B/3.0 in high school coursework
You are not eligible if you are:
- An international student (except students at select DoD schools)
- A child or grandchild of a current or retired employee of The Coca-Cola Company, its bottlers, divisions, or subsidiaries
- Already a high school graduate
- A temporary resident
- A U.S. citizen attending an American or expat school abroad, or a school in Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa
- A non-traditional student or gap-year student
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Phase 1 (initial application): No essays, transcripts, or recommendation letters are required — only your basic academic, activity, and eligibility information.
Phase 2 (if named a Semifinalist):
- Essays, as specified in the Phase 2 application
- Official high school transcript
- One letter of recommendation
No supplementary materials (extra essays, additional letters, portfolios, etc.) are accepted at any stage — the Foundation explicitly does not review anything submitted outside the official portal.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Step 1: Confirm your eligibility. Check your citizenship/residency status, school location, and expected graduation year before applying.
Step 2: Complete the Phase 1 online application. Open August 3 through 5 pm Eastern on September 30, 2026. This phase requires no essays, transcript, or recommendations — just your profile and activity information.
Step 3: Submit the required Eligibility Quiz. This must be completed by 4 pm Eastern on September 30, 2026, alongside your application.
Step 4: Wait for Phase 2 notification. By the end of October, all applicants are notified of their status. About 1% are named Semifinalists.
Step 5: Complete the Phase 2 application, if selected. Due in November, this phase requires essays, a transcript, and one recommendation letter.
Step 6: Attend your regional interview, if you advance. From roughly 1,200 Semifinalists, 250 Regional Finalists are interviewed by Coke Scholar alumni and Foundation staff in late January or early February.
Step 7: Attend Coke Scholars Weekend, if selected. 150 Regional Finalists are invited to Atlanta in April to confirm their selection as Coca-Cola Scholars.
IMPORTANT DATES
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | August 3, 2026 |
| Phase 1 Deadline (application + eligibility quiz) | September 30, 2026, 5 pm Eastern |
| Semifinalist Notification | End of October 2026 |
| Phase 2 Application Due | November 2026 |
| Regional Finalist Interviews | Late January – early February 2027 |
| Coke Scholars Weekend (Atlanta) | April 2027 |
IMPORTANT LINKS
- Official Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation site: coca-colascholarsfoundation.org
- Apply / application portal: coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/apply
- Application login portal: webportalapp.com/sp/login/cokescholar
- FAQ page: coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/about/faq
- Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team & Leaders of Promise (via Phi Theta Kappa): ptk.org
SELECTION PROCESS
- Phase 1 screening — basic eligibility and activity information reviewed; no essays required.
- Semifinalist selection — about 1% of applicants advance and complete a fuller Phase 2 application with essays, transcript, and a recommendation.
- Regional Finalist selection — 250 of around 1,200 Semifinalists are chosen to interview.
- Interviews — conducted by Coca-Cola Scholar alumni and Foundation staff.
- Final selection — 150 Regional Finalists are confirmed as Coca-Cola Scholars at the required Atlanta weekend.
How to increase your chances for Coca-Cola Scholars Program
- Be specific and genuine about your leadership and service — generic statements don’t stand out among 100,000+ applicants
- Keep your Phase 1 activity list detailed and accurate, since it’s the only material reviewed before Semifinalist selection
- If you advance to Phase 2, choose a recommender who knows your character and impact well, not just your grades
- Practice articulating your goals clearly ahead of the interview stage
- Apply as early as possible within the window to avoid technical issues near the deadline
- Double check your citizenship/residency documentation matches Federal Financial Aid eligibility rules
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
- Applying as an international student or from an ineligible school location
- Missing the exact 5 pm Eastern cutoff on September 30, 2026
- Forgetting to submit the required Eligibility Quiz alongside the application
- Submitting supplementary materials that aren’t accepted (extra essays, letters, portfolios)
- Waiting until the last minute, risking technical issues with no late submissions accepted
- Assuming a gap year or non-traditional graduation timeline qualifies (it does not)
LIVING IN THE USA
Since Coca-Cola Scholars choose their own accredited U.S. college or university, living costs depend entirely on where you enroll — from lower-cost regional campuses to expensive major cities. The $20,000 award is designed to help offset tuition and related costs but is not intended to cover full living expenses on its own, so most recipients combine it with other financial aid, scholarships, or family support.
VISA INFORMATION
This scholarship is specifically for U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents, and other federally aid-eligible statuses, so visa sponsorship is not applicable. International students should look for separate scholarship programs designed for non-U.S. citizens.
WHY STUDY IN THE USA
- Access to a huge range of accredited colleges and universities, at every cost level
- Strong alumni and professional networks through many U.S. institutions
- A large, well-established scholarship and financial aid ecosystem for domestic students
- The Coca-Cola Scholars network itself provides mentorship and career connections long after graduation
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is the Coca-Cola Scholars Program fully funded? No. It’s a one-time $20,000 achievement-based scholarship, not a full-ride or fully funded award covering all education costs.
Who can apply? U.S. high school seniors graduating during the 2026–2027 academic year who meet the citizenship/residency and GPA requirements.
Can international students apply? No, this scholarship is not open to international students, with the narrow exception of students at select Department of Defense schools.
Can European, African, or Asian students apply? Only if they hold qualifying U.S. citizenship, national, or permanent resident status and attend an eligible U.S. high school — nationality or region of origin alone does not qualify or disqualify anyone.
Can Pakistani or Indian students apply? Only if they meet the same U.S. citizenship/residency requirements as any other applicant; being an international student on a visa does not qualify.
Is IELTS mandatory? No, this is a U.S. domestic scholarship and does not require an English proficiency test.
Is there an application fee? No, there is no fee to apply.
Can married students apply? Yes, marital status is not part of the eligibility criteria.
What GPA is required? A minimum overall B average (3.0 GPA) in high school coursework.
Can I work while studying? This is not restricted by the scholarship itself; it depends on your chosen college’s policies.
How many students are selected each year? 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected annually from a pool that has recently exceeded 100,000 applicants.
Can I apply for multiple Coca-Cola Foundation programs at once? The main Scholars Program is separate from the Community College Academic Team and Leaders of Promise programs, which have their own applications via Phi Theta Kappa.
Does age matter? There’s no set age limit, but you must be a current high school student graduating in the 2026–2027 academic year — non-traditional or gap-year students are not eligible.
What happens after I’m selected as a Semifinalist? You’ll complete a Phase 2 application with essays, a transcript, and a recommendation letter, due in November.
How competitive is this scholarship? Extremely — with over 100,000 applicants in recent cycles competing for 150 awards.
Can I apply with a pending final-year GPA? Your GPA is assessed based on your current high school coursework at the time of application.
What expenses are not covered? The award does not cover full tuition, housing, or living costs beyond the one-time $20,000 amount.
Can I defer the scholarship? The Foundation’s published materials don’t outline a deferral option; contact the Foundation directly for guidance specific to your situation.
Can I apply if I already have another scholarship? Yes, there’s no stated restriction against holding other scholarships alongside this award.
How will I know if I’ve been selected? All applicants are notified by email of their status at each phase, with final Coca-Cola Scholars confirmed at the required Atlanta weekend in April.
FINAL SUMMARY
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program remains one of the most prestigious achievement-based scholarships available to U.S. high school seniors, offering $20,000 and a lifelong network to 150 students each year. It’s worth being clear-eyed going in: this is a U.S. domestic scholarship, not open to international students, and it’s a one-time award rather than a full-ride package. If you meet the citizenship, school, and GPA requirements, the low-barrier Phase 1 application makes it well worth applying before the September 30, 2026 deadline.