Coca-Cola Scholarship: How To Apply and What You Need to Know

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is a subsidiary of the famous Coca-Cola Company. Its focus is, in its own words, “bring[ing] better to the world through investment in exceptional high school students who are dedicated to leadership, service, and action that positively affects others”. Through its scholarship programs and Leadership Summits, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has helped high school seniors achieve their academic and intellectual potential for over 25 years.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation supports more than 1,400 college students each year through its 3 nationally recognized programs. One of these programs is the Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship. 150 high school seniors are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship.

Unfortunately, the application period for 2019 high school graduates has closed, but it’s not too late for those graduating in 2020 or later. Read on to learn what you need to know to have a fighting chance of becoming a Coca-Cola Scholar, with all the perks and privileges that come with it.

Eligibility Requirements

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation very clearly outlines what types of students are eligible for the Coca-Cola Scholarship, and they will ask you to show proof that you meet all of their eligibility requirements when you fill out the application.

In order to qualify for the Coca-Cola Scholarship, you must be a graduating high school senior in good standing. You must also be a US citizen, US National, US Permanent Resident, Refugee, Asylee, Cuban-Haitian Entrant, or Humanitarian Parolee. You must also be planning to pursue a degree at a postsecondary institution within a year of completing your graduation. You must also have earned a minimum 3.0 weighted GPA at your high school.

You are not eligible for the Coca-Cola Scholarship if you are child or grandchild of any Coca-Cola employee, an international student, a high school graduate, or a temporary resident of the United States.

What is the Application Process Like/What Info Do I Need?

In order to apply for the Coca-Cola Scholarship, you will need to submit a Google Form application via their online portal. However, if you want to see a sample application, you can view it here.

There are no essays, transcripts, or other supplementary documents needed to apply for this scholarship. However, we recommend securing a copy of your transcript before filling out this application in order to ensure that you are providing the most accurate and up-to-date information about yourself.

In addition, here are some other things you will need to gather before you start filling out this application:

• • The High School Code for your school from CollegeBoard
  • Your parents approximate combined income before taxes last year (optional)
  • Information about all of your school-sponsored extracurriculars (e.g. how long you were in each club, what your official leadership titles were, how long you’ve been in these roles, etc)
  • Information on any and all awards and honors you have received throughout your time in high school
  • Information on any community service hours you have completed throughout high school
  • The number of AP, IB, and Honors classes offered at your school
  • Your grades throughout high school
  • Your current class rank and class size
  • Information on any and all work experiences you’ve had in high school (what was the job, how many hours did you work per week, etc)

Important Deadlines To Know

Every academic year, the application for the Coca-Colar scholarship opens in August and is due on October 31st. You may apply during the fall of your senior year.

When you’re figuring out when to start this application, you should keep in mind that it may take a few weeks to secure important documents like your official transcript and your parents’ tax information. Thus, it’s best to start sooner rather than later. You don’t want to be caught in a pinch at the last minute!

For More Information

Want to learn more about scholarships you could earn in high school? Check out these previous blog posts:

How Your SAT Scores Can Help You Earn Scholarships

15 College Scholarship Resources For High School Students

10 Weird College Scholarships You Should Consider

What You Need To Know For a Successful Scholarship Season

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