Coca-Cola Scholars Program 2027

Overview

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is an achievement-based college scholarship for students in their final year of high school. Applicants are evaluated for academic achievement, leadership, service, and the positive impact they have made in their schools and communities.

For the 2027 class, 150 students will each receive a $20,000 scholarship. This is not an income-based scholarship; the Foundation states that applicants are assessed on leadership, academics, and service.

Eligibility

• Be currently enrolled in high school or home school and graduate during the 2026–2027 academic year.
• Attend school in one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or select Department of Defense schools.
• Meet the program's citizenship/status requirement: U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, U.S. Permanent Resident, Refugee, Asylee, Cuban-Haitian Entrant, or Humanitarian Parolee under the federal financial-aid eligibility framework.
• 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.
• Be able to verify at least a B / 3.0 overall high school GPA.

Not eligible: international students except qualifying students at select DoD schools; students who have already graduated from high school; temporary residents; and children or grandchildren of specified current Coca-Cola system employees, officers, or owners, as well as certain former employees receiving retirement benefits.

Scholarship Benefits

• $20,000 college scholarship for each selected Coca-Cola Scholar.
• 150 scholarships awarded nationally for the 2027 class.
• Participation in the Coca-Cola Scholars leadership-development experience.
• Access to a nationwide alumni community of more than 7,200 Scholars.
• Opportunities for coaching, professional development, service, networking, and future alumni programming.

The $20,000 award is a scholarship, not a promise to cover a student's entire cost of attendance. Applicants should continue pursuing other grants, scholarships, and financial aid where needed.

How to Apply

1. Review the official eligibility rules before creating an application.
2. Use the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation's online application page and create your account.
3. Complete the Phase 1 online application. This stage asks for application information but requires no essay, transcript, or recommendation.
4. Submit the completed Phase 1 application before September 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
5. By the end of October, applicants are notified of their status. Approximately 1% advance as Semifinalists.
6. Semifinalists complete Phase 2 in November, including essays, a transcript, and a recommendation.
7. About 250 Regional Finalists are selected for interviews in late January or early February, after which 150 students are invited to the required Scholars Weekend in Atlanta.

Application Materials & Checklist

Phase 1 does not require uploaded supporting documents. The official selection-process guidance explicitly says no essay, transcript, or recommendation is required at this stage.

• Prepare accurate academic and course information, including your GPA.
• Organize your school activities, community activities, leadership roles, and service involvement before starting.
• Have counselor/principal information available where applicable.
• Do not email or mail extra transcripts, essays, recommendation letters, résumés, or other supplemental materials for Phase 1; the Foundation states these are not accepted.
• If selected as a Semifinalist, be ready to submit essays, a transcript, and one recommendation in Phase 2.

Important Dates

• August 3, 2026: 2027 application opens.
• September 30, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time: Phase 1 application deadline.
• By the end of October 2026: applicants are notified whether they advanced to Semifinalist status.
• November 2026: Semifinalists complete Phase 2; the exact deadline is communicated to advancing applicants.
• Late January / early February 2027: Regional Finalist interviews.
• April 2027: selected students attend the required Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend in Atlanta before becoming official Coca-Cola Scholars.

FAQs

How much is the Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship?
Each of the 150 selected Scholars receives $20,000.

Do I need an essay for the initial application?
No. Phase 1 requires no essay, transcript, or recommendation. Those materials are requested only if you are selected as a Semifinalist.

Is this scholarship based on financial need?
No. The Foundation describes it as an achievement-based scholarship evaluated on leadership, academics, and service.

Can international students apply?
Generally no. Applicants must meet the listed U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration-status requirements and attend an eligible school location. The official rules include a limited exception for qualifying students at select Department of Defense schools.

Can home-schooled students apply?
Yes, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements.

Can a student who already graduated high school apply?
No. The program is for current students who will graduate during the 2026–2027 academic year.

Last verified: September 6, 2026. ScholarshipHubNow independently verified the award amount, number of recipients, eligibility, application stages, deadline, and Phase 1 document requirements against the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation's official 2027 application and FAQ pages. Scholarships.com was used only as a discovery source. Applicants should confirm the official page again before submission in case requirements change.