The Coca-Cola Scholars Program, the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the country, is now accepting applications from high school seniors to be Coca-Cola Scholars and receive one of 150 college scholarships worth $20,000.
Students with at least a 3.0 GPA may apply at Cokeurl.com/ApplyNow through September 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eastern. Full eligibility requirements can be found at Cokeurl.com/Scholarships. Coke Scholars not only demonstrate excellence in academics but also serve as leaders in their community and are dedicated to creating positive change.
In 2025, five Iowa and Illinois high school seniors were named Coke Scholars, each receiving a $20,000 college scholarship. Less than 1/6 of 1% of applicants were chosen to receive this extremely competitive award.
Since its founding, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program has awarded more than $90 million in scholarships to over 7,200 students. For 40 years, this partnership between The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola bottlers nationwide has invested in visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. In 2025, the Foundation was named Large Scholarship Provider of the Year by the National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA), recognizing its impact on student success and the scholarship industry.
“We believe that identifying these young leaders throughout the country and encouraging their passion for serving others not only empowers the students but also lifts up those around them.” said Jane Hale Paulsen, President of the Foundation. “The Coca-Cola system is dedicated to giving back to the communities they serve, and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is proud to be a part of that commitment.”
In addition to receiving college scholarships, Coca-Cola Scholars will attend Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend in Atlanta April 15-18, 2027, where they will be honored at the annual Coca-Cola Scholars Banquet and participate in the Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Development Institute facilitated by program alumni.
Through networking, collaborations, and friendships, the Coke Scholars community strives to make a greater impact together. Recent initiatives include a Coke Scholars Service Summit supporting victims of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina and a coaching program that partners seasoned alumni with first-year Coke Scholars as they transition to college.
In a recent survey, 97% of Scholars said CCSF programs have made them better leaders and increased their involvement in their communities, and nearly 6 in 10 said the Coke Scholars network is more beneficial than any other.
