The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarships in the USA
One of the most popular and large grants available to high school seniors in the United States is the Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship. The Coca-Cola Company and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation created this scholarship in 1986 and have since supported young people positioned to positively influence their communities and beyond. This article gives a thorough overview of the program, including its becoming eligible requirements, selection procedures, and rewards given to the selected scholars. Scholarships offered by the Coca-Cola Scholars Program in the USA.
Table of contents
Background
This award has remained committed to honoring students for their academic excellence as well as their dedication to service and leadership over the years.
Eligibility Criteria
Prospective candidates should be aware of the program’s specific requirements:
- High School Senior Status: The applicant must attend a U.S. high school as a senior or undergo homeschooling, and they will receive their diploma after the current academic year. No one who has previously completed high school is eligible for this scholarship, nor are students who are graduating from an American or ex-pat school abroad.
- U.S. Citizenship: Applicants should either be U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Permanent Residents, Refugees, Asylees, Cuban-Haitian Entrants, or Humanitarian Parolees.
- Academic Achievement: While they don’t set a strict GPA requirement, the scholarship committee considers academic achievement due to the scholarship’s competitive nature. You must be able to show that your whole high school education has a minimum B/3.0 GPA.
- Plans for Higher Education: The student should have plans to pursue a degree at an authorized U.S. post-secondary institution.
The Selection Process
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarships selection process is multifaceted:
- Application Review: The Foundation reviews all applications to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Regional Semifinalists: The committee selects around 2,000 applicants based on their academic excellence, leadership abilities, and service.
- Regional Finalists: The committee selects 250 from the Semifinalists as Regional Finalists. They complete another phase, including essays, recommendations, and transcripts.
- Interviews: The next stage includes interviews, either in-person or virtual, for the Regional Finalists.
- Scholars Selection: After taking the interviews, the committee selects 150 Coca-Cola Scholars. These individuals represent diverse backgrounds, regions, and aspirations, yet all share an extraordinary aptitude for leadership and service.
Scholarship Benefits
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship awards its recipients generously:
- Financial Award: 150 Coca-Cola Scholars receive $20,000 each to be used for their college education.
- Leadership Development: Beyond the financial aspect, the scholarship program offers an annual Scholars Leadership Development Weekend in Atlanta. This event focuses on leadership training, networking, and fostering a sense of community among the scholars.
- Alumni Network: Scholars become part of an alumni network, which provides numerous opportunities for mentorship, networking, and professional growth.
Student life in the USA:
Academic strictness, extracurricular activities, and cultural experiences are all offered in unusual balance by American student life. Colleges and universities frequently serve as microcosms of broader societies, providing varied communities where students from various backgrounds can come together to learn, invent, and develop. On campuses, there are frequently a variety of groups, events, and activities geared toward different interests, from sports and the arts to social issues and technological advancements. The development of soft skills, leadership potential, and civic participation are prioritized by American educational institutions over academic achievement. Additionally, modern facilities like libraries, recreation centers, and technology labs are frequently available to students. Many foreign students are attracted to the broad education that the US provides due to the environment that promotes personal and professional progress.
Application Deadline:
The deadline to apply is October 2, of the corresponding year.
Official website:
The 2024 application is now open here for students who will graduate during the 2023-2024 academic year.
Frequently Asked Questions:
No, the scholarship is a one-time award. However, the amount can be used over the duration of the student’s undergraduate study based on their individual needs and tuition costs.
Each Coca-Cola Scholar receives a scholarship of $20,000 to support their college education.
The top five colleges that provide the Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship are Harvard, Stanford, Duke, Yale, and Princeton.
International students are eligible only if they are attending a high school in the United States. However, students attending school outside the U.S. are typically not eligible, with a few exceptions like U.S. territories or U.S. citizens studying abroad.
No, Coca-Cola Scholars can attend any accredited U.S. post-secondary institution and pursue any field of study they desire. The scholarship aims to support scholars in their chosen academic and career paths, whatever they may be.
