Coca-Cola Scholars Program: What You Should Know Before Applying

If you are thinking about college in your senior year of high school, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship can provide you with significant financial support for your studies after graduation. Our scholarship team has included a quick primer for interested students, breaking down common questions about the application process and how you can increase your chances of success.

What Can I Get From the Coca-Cola Scholars Program?

Winners of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program will receive a $20,000 scholarship to support their education after high school. These funds can be spent on tuition and other educational expenses permitted by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, such as class materials or on-campus housing. The winners of the scholarship will also be inducted as Coke Scholars, offering networking and coaching opportunities.

Am I Eligible for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program?

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is open to current high school seniors who have maintained a B average or 3.0 GPA in their coursework and are expected to graduate this current academic year. Moreover, interested applicants must be planning to pursue a degree at an accredited college or university.

Your legal status in the country may also be relevant to the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. Based on the guidelines set out by the U.S. Department of Education for Federal Financial Aid, you may qualify for the scholarship if you are:

• A U.S. citizen
• A U.S. national
• A U.S. permanent resident
• Under refugee or asylum status
• A Cuban-Haitian entrant
• A humanitarian parolee

Can I Apply for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program if I Am Home Schooled?

If you are a homeschool student, you can apply for the scholarship as long as you meet all of the other relevant criteria.

Can I Apply for the Scholarship if I Have Already Graduated From High School?

You can only apply to the scholarship as a current senior in high school; if you graduated from high school before the 2025 to 2026 academic year, you will not be considered for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program.

Do I Have to Submit an Essay for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program?

There is no essay requirement for the first phase of the online application. However, if you are named as a semifinalist, you will be required to respond to various essay prompts.

In your essay response, you should try to give a personal, honest reflection on the question. Judges often respond better to detailed narratives about you rather than overly general responses. Furthermore, make sure that your response fully addresses the prompt, especially if the prompt asks multiple questions.

What Do I Have to Include in My Application?

If you are chosen as a semifinalist, you will have to provide a formal recommendation as well as your academic transcript. For your recommendation, you could turn to someone you trust and look up to, such as a coach, teacher, or employer. The recommendation should say something about your achievements, your character, or both.

What Can I Do to Increase My Chances of Success in My Scholarship Application?

If this is your first time applying for scholarships as a high school senior, you might feel overwhelmed by the pressure of looking for funding opportunities. However, do not be dissuaded from applying to competitive scholarships–even if you are not sure if you stand out compared to other applicants, you lose nothing by sending out an application.

In general, the best thing you can do to improve your odds of getting noticed by a judge is to follow the instructions carefully. Many applications end up dismissed due to easily overlooked errors. If you are diligent about reading the application requirements every time, you will have a better chance at getting noticed.

Looking for Other Scholarships? Visit Our Scholarship Listing Today.

The OVC Scholarship Network is a valuable resource for high school seniors and current college students. Our directory is regularly updated with open scholarship opportunities, serving as a convenient index for students looking for legitimate, accessible funding opportunities. If you have any further questions about what we do, you can reach our offices at 630-517-2702 or through our online contact form.