Coca-Cola Scholarship

Next time you are enjoying a classic ice-cold Coca-Cola, think about this: the Coca-Cola Scholars Program currently awards 3.4 million dollars in scholarship money to 1,400 students every year. The award money is provided by two nationally recognized foundations on behalf of the Coca-Cola Company. That is no small deed. The Coca-Cola Scholarship is not for those who may take the task of college lightly. The application process is a thorough and rigorous one for those serious about their education, requiring an interview that will likely involve travel on your part. But the generous scholarship award amounts may be well worth your efforts.

Application to the Coca-Cola Scholarship begins early in August and is available only through the end of October. To qualify, you must be a current high school senior anticipating graduation and receipt of your diploma at the time you apply for the scholarship. Home-schooled students are welcome to apply as well. You must be attending a high school located in the United States and must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Eligible recipients of the Coca-Cola Scholarship must be one of the following: U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Permanent Residents, Temporary Residents, Asylees, Refugees, Humanitarian Parolees, or Cuban-Haitian Entrants. Furthermore, you must be making plans to pursue higher education at an accredited U.S. post-secondary college or university.

Those who meet these eligibility requirements are permitted to apply every year to receive one of 250 four-year scholarships awarded based on achievement. Of all those who apply, about 2,200 are selected as semifinalists. Semifinalists still have a chance to become finalists eligible for scholarship money. These contestants must complete a secondary application, which includes essays, official high school transcripts, and two letters of recommendation. The Coca-Cola Scholars Program’s Program Review Committee then chooses 250 of the semifinalists to advance as finalists to the last interview stage.

By April, finalists are invited out to Atlanta for personal interviews with the National Selection Committee. This committee is comprised of some of the nation’s most prominent leaders in government, business, education, and the arts. Based on the results of the personal interviews, the committee appoints 50 finalists as National Scholars and 200 as Regional Scholars. National Scholars will receive $20,000 towards tuition and Regional Scholars receive $10,000.

The Coca-Cola Scholarship is a rewarding one given to students who value a complete education, have put forth the effort, and done the work to prove it. Deserving finalists receive award money that will help finance a continuing education. If you consider yourself a committed student with the drive and ambition to succeed, then think about applying for the Coca-Cola Scholarship.