The Burger King College Scholarship

Looking for help paying for college? Scholarships can help you offset the cost of your education. There are plenty of awards available, both from outside organizations and institutions themselves, which can ease the financial burden of your tuition and other expenses.

If you’re a Burger King employee or the child or spouse/domestic partner or someone who is, you may be eligible to receive a scholarship of $1,000-$50,000. Read on for details on how to apply, as well as tips for finding and winning scholarships in general.

BURGER KING℠ Scholarship: Overview and How to Apply

Sponsored by Burger King, this scholarship is awarded in the amount of $1,000-$50,000 to graduating high school seniors who are Burger King employees or the spouse/domestic partner or child of an employee.

Applicants must:

• Have a strong academic record with a minimum GPA of 2.5, and
• Demonstrate a commitment to serving their communities, and
• Have plans to attend a two- or four-year accredited university, college, or vocational-technical institution in the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico

Another generous award is the James W. McLamore WHOPPER® Scholarship Award, created by the McLamore Family Foundation. Awarded to three students annually, this $50,000 scholarship assists students who are high school seniors or have graduated within the last three years. This scholarship is awarded to assist with the cost of attending a four-year accredited college or university within the U.S. 

In addition, applicants must:

• Have a minimum 3.3. GPA, and
• An ACT composite score of 25 or combined SAT score of 1220, and
• Demonstrate leadership and “substantial” work experience

Apply for both of these scholarships between October 15 and December 15.

Tips on Applying for Scholarships

Many students apply for financial aid, but scholarships can also play a pivotal role in funding your education. These awards can really add up, and in contrast to loans, scholarships don’t require you to pay anything back after graduation. To help you make the most of this opportunity, we’ve compiled a few tips.

Start early. It’s important to start your scholarship search early, in junior year or even before. Many scholarships are aimed to recognize specific niches, so look for scholarships that fit your qualifications and characteristics. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of factors including: demographics, interests, activities, locations, intended majors, and more. For example, the Burger King Scholarships, as detailed above, are awarded to students who demonstrate significant leadership and work experience and who have an affiliation with Burger King. Other scholarships are open to first-generation students, people intending to pursue specific careers, or people with particular talents.

Get organized. Once you’ve narrowed down your pool of scholarships to the ones that best fit your unique qualifications, keep track of deadlines by making a spreadsheet and/or setting up Google alerts. Well before the deadline, read through all the directions and gather together your materials. If you need a recommendation, make your recommender(s) aware of your deadlines, too.

Polish your application. Many scholarships require a personal statement or essay, which is your chance to make a case for yourself. Be sure to proofread this critical part of your application carefully and get another set of eyes on it, too. (Check out our tips for how to write a winning scholarship essay.)

For more advice on applying for scholarships, review What You Need to Know for a Successful Scholarship Season and 15 College Scholarship Resources for High School Students.

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