Coca-Cola Scholars Program 2027 in USA | $20,000 Scholarship

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program 2027 is now accepting applications from eligible high school seniors in the United States. Selected students receive a $20,000 college scholarship and join a national community of Coca-Cola Scholars recognized for academic achievement, leadership and community service.

The scholarship is not open to international students generally. Applicants must meet specific U.S. school, citizenship or immigration-status requirements.

For the 2027 program, the application opened on August 3, 2026, and the deadline is September 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation confirms that 150 students will be selected to receive the $20,000 award.

Coca-Cola Scholars Program 2027 – Scholarship Summary

The official foundation confirms that the 2027 scholarship is for students graduating during the 2026–2027 academic year and that 150 students will receive $20,000 each.

About the Coca-Cola Scholars Program

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is an achievement-based scholarship for high school seniors who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership and service.

The program looks beyond grades. Applicants are expected to demonstrate their capacity to lead, serve others and contribute positively to their schools and communities.

Each year, 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected to receive a $20,000 college scholarship. The foundation also provides scholars with opportunities to become part of a large alumni community and participate in leadership development activities.

Coca-Cola Scholarship Benefits

The primary financial benefit is:

$20,000 College Scholarship

Each selected Coca-Cola Scholar receives a $20,000 scholarship to support their undergraduate education.

In addition to the financial award, selected scholars become part of the Coca-Cola Scholars community. The foundation describes additional opportunities including leadership development, alumni networking and coaching support during the transition to college.

How Many Students Receive the Coca-Cola Scholarship?

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation selects 150 students each year for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program.

The foundation reports that more than 7,200 students have become Coca-Cola Scholars through the program since its establishment, with the 2026 class bringing the total to more than 7,200 alumni.

Coca-Cola Scholarship Eligibility Requirements 2027

Applicants must satisfy several requirements.

1. Be a Current High School Student

Applicants must currently be enrolled in high school or be homeschooled.

They must be scheduled to graduate during the 2026–2027 academic school year. Students who have already graduated from high school cannot apply.

2. Attend an Eligible School

Applicants must attend school in one of:

• The 50 U.S. states
• District of Columbia
• Puerto Rico
• Select Department of Defense schools

Students graduating from American or expatriate schools abroad are not eligible for this particular scholarship.

3. Meet the Citizenship or Immigration Requirements

Eligible applicants include:

• U.S. citizens
• U.S. nationals
• U.S. permanent residents
• Refugees
• Asylees
• Cuban-Haitian entrants
• Humanitarian parolees

The applicant must meet the applicable status requirements by the application deadline.

4. Have at Least a 3.0 GPA

Applicants must be able to verify a minimum overall B / 3.0 GPA in their high school coursework.

5. Plan to Attend a U.S. College or University

Applicants must plan to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program does not generally accept:

• International students
• High school graduates
• Temporary residents
• Students who do not meet the specified U.S. school requirements
• Certain children or grandchildren of current or former eligible Coca-Cola employees, officers or owners under the program’s restrictions

Students attending eligible Department of Defense schools are an exception to the general international-student restriction.

Is the Coca-Cola Scholarship Open to International Students?

No.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is not a general international scholarship. The official foundation states that its application is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, refugees, asylees, Cuban-Haitian entrants and humanitarian parolees who also meet the school and graduation requirements.

This means students studying in countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Kenya or other countries outside the eligible U.S.-based school settings cannot apply simply because they plan to study in the United States.

For example, a Ghanaian or Nigerian student completing secondary school in Ghana or Nigeria would not meet the eligibility requirements for this particular program.

Leadership and Community Service

Academic performance is only one part of the Coca-Cola Scholars selection process.

The program recognizes students who demonstrate:

• Leadership
• Community service
• Volunteer work
• School involvement
• Community projects
• Youth initiatives
• Fundraising
• Student leadership
• Other activities that demonstrate positive impact

The foundation describes the program as recognizing students for their capacity to lead and serve and their commitment to making an impact in their schools and communities.

Applicants should therefore prepare accurate information about their activities and accomplishments before beginning the application.

Does the Coca-Cola Scholarship Require an Essay?

Initial application: No essay

The Phase 1 application does not require essays, transcripts or recommendations.

However, applicants who progress to the semifinalist stage will be asked to complete a more detailed Phase 2 application that includes essays, a transcript and a recommendation.

So, the statement that the Coca-Cola Scholarship has “no essay” applies to the initial application stage, not necessarily the entire selection process.

Coca-Cola Scholars Selection Process

The selection process takes place in several stages.

Phase 1 – Online Application

The initial application period runs from August 3 through September 30, 2026.

At this stage, applicants submit the online application without essays, transcripts or recommendations.

Phase 2 – Semifinalists

Approximately 1% of applicants advance as semifinalists.

Semifinalists complete a Phase 2 application that includes essays, a transcript and a recommendation.

Phase 3 – Regional Finalists

Approximately 250 semifinalists advance to the Regional Finalist stage and participate in interviews with Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation staff and alumni.

Phase 4 – Coca-Cola Scholars

Following the interview stage, 150 students are selected as Coca-Cola Scholars and invited to Scholars Weekend in Atlanta.

Coca-Cola Scholarship 2027 Application Deadline

The application deadline is:

September 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

The official Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation confirms this deadline for the 2027 scholarship.

The application opened on August 3, 2026.

Applicants should submit before the deadline rather than waiting until the final hours.

How to Apply for the Coca-Cola Scholarship 2027

Eligible students can apply online through the official Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Before starting, confirm that you:

• Are currently in high school or homeschooling
• Will graduate during the 2026–2027 academic year
• Attend an eligible school
• Meet the citizenship or immigration requirements
• Have at least a 3.0 GPA
• Plan to attend an accredited U.S. college or university

Step 2: Prepare Your Information

Have accurate information about your:

• Academic achievements
• Leadership activities
• Community service
• School involvement
• Volunteer work
• Other achievements
• College plans

Step 3: Create Your Application

Visit the official Coca-Cola Scholars application website and create an account.

The foundation says applicants complete an eligibility quiz before proceeding with the application.

Step 4: Complete the Online Application

Enter your information carefully and accurately.

The initial application does not require an essay, transcript or recommendation.

Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline

Submit the completed application no later than:

September 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

The application becomes unavailable after the deadline.

Important Tips for Applicants

1. Confirm Eligibility First

Do not spend time completing the application until you have confirmed your school, graduation, citizenship and GPA requirements.

2. Keep Track of Your Activities

Make a list of your:

• Leadership positions
• Volunteer activities
• Community projects
• School organizations
• Fundraising activities
• Awards and achievements

3. Focus on Your Impact

When describing activities, clearly explain what you actually did and the results of your involvement.

4. Be Accurate

All information should be truthful and consistent with your school records and experiences.

5. Apply Early

Do not wait until the final hours of September 30. Completing the application early gives you time to review your information and resolve technical problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Coca-Cola Scholarship?

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program awards $20,000 to each of the 150 students selected annually.

Who can apply for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program?

Current high school seniors who will graduate during the 2026–2027 school year and meet the program’s school, citizenship or immigration, GPA and college-enrollment requirements can apply.

Can international students apply?

Generally, no. The program is limited to eligible students meeting the specified U.S.-based school and citizenship or immigration requirements, with an exception for eligible students at select Department of Defense schools.

What GPA is required?

Applicants need a minimum overall B / 3.0 GPA in high school coursework.

When does the 2027 Coca-Cola Scholarship open?

The 2027 application opened on August 3, 2026.

What is the deadline?

The deadline is September 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

Is an essay required?

There is no essay in the initial Phase 1 application. Semifinalists who advance to Phase 2 must submit essays, a transcript and a recommendation.

Can a student who already graduated from high school apply?

No. Applicants must currently be high school students or homeschool students graduating during the 2026–2027 academic year.

Can Ghanaian or Nigerian students apply?

Students attending regular high schools in Ghana or Nigeria are not eligible for this particular program because it is not an international scholarship. The program has specific U.S.-based school and citizenship/immigration requirements.

Apply Now

Eligible high school seniors should submit their application through the official Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation before the deadline.

Application deadline: September 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.

Official application: Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation – Apply

Conclusion

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program 2027 provides $20,000 college scholarships to 150 graduating high school seniors in the United States. The program considers academic achievement alongside leadership and community service.

One important point for international scholarship seekers is that this is not an international scholarship. Students must meet the program’s specific U.S. school, graduation and citizenship or immigration requirements.

Eligible applicants should complete the initial online application before September 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

Application form