The Coca-Cola Scholarship 2027 is a $20,000 college scholarship for high school seniors in the United States. It recognizes students for leadership, academic achievement, and service.
For the 2026-2027 application cycle, students can apply from August 3, 2026, to September 30, 2026. The deadline is 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
Quick Highlights
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship 2027. |
| Host Organization | Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation |
| Country | United States |
| Award | $20,000 college scholarship |
| Number of Scholars | 150 |
| Scholarship Type | Achievement-based |
| Eligible Students | High school seniors graduating in 2026-2027 |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 overall B/unweighted GPA |
| Application Opens | August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM Eastern |
| Application Deadline | September 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern |
| Application Fee | None |
| Official Website | coca-colascholarsfoundation.org |
About the Coca-Cola Scholarship 2027
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship 2027 is an achievement-based scholarship for students in their final year of high school.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation considers areas such as leadership, academics, and service when selecting scholars. Financial need is not the basis for the award.
Each year, 150 students are selected as Coca-Cola Scholars and receive a $20,000 college scholarship.
The competition is strong. For example, the 2026 program received more than 107,000 applications, while 1,238 students advanced as semifinalists.
Financial Benefits
Selected Coca-Cola Scholars receive:
- $20,000 college scholarship
- Invitation to Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend in Atlanta
- Access to the Coca-Cola Scholars alumni network
- The ability to use the scholarship within the period allowed by the Foundation’s rules
The $20,000 award should not be confused with a full-ride scholarship. It is a college scholarship that can help with the cost of higher education.
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Eligibility Criteria
You should meet all of the main requirements below before applying.
Who Can Apply?
You must:
- Be currently enrolled in high school or be homeschooled.
- Graduate during the 2026-2027 academic year.
- Attend a school in one of the 50 U.S. states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or an eligible Department of Defense school.
- Have at least a 3.0 overall B/unweighted GPA.
- Plan to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution after graduation.
- Meet one of the citizenship or eligible immigration-status requirements set by the Foundation.
Eligible statuses include U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, U.S. Permanent Resident, Refugee, Asylee, Cuban-Haitian Entrant, or Humanitarian Parolee, subject to the Foundation’s eligibility rules.
Who Is Not Eligible?
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship 2027 does not accept students who have already graduated from high school, including gap-year or non-traditional students.
International students are generally not eligible. Students attending eligible Department of Defense schools are treated under the program’s specific location rules.
U.S. citizens attending American or expatriate schools outside the eligible locations are also not eligible.
Certain children or grandchildren of current or former employees, officers, or owners connected with The Coca-Cola Company, Coca-Cola bottling companies, or the Foundation are also excluded under the official rules.
Application Process
The Coca-Cola Scholars selection process has several stages.
Phase 1: Online Application
The initial application opens on August 3, 2026, and closes on September 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
At this stage, you do not submit essays, transcripts, or recommendation letters.
Phase 2: Semifinalists
Semifinalists are notified by the end of October 2026.
Students who advance must complete the next part of the application, which includes essays, a transcript, and one recommendation.
Phase 3: Regional Finalists
Around 250 students are selected as Regional Finalists from the semifinalist group.
They participate in an interview as part of the final selection process.
Phase 4: Coca-Cola Scholars
The final group contains 150 Coca-Cola Scholars.
Selected students are invited to Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend in Atlanta in April 2027.
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Required Documents
For the initial application, you do not need to submit essays, transcripts, or recommendation letters.
If you become a semifinalist, you will need to provide:
- Personal essays
- High school transcript
- One recommendation
The Foundation provides further instructions to students who advance to this stage.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM Eastern |
| Application Deadline | September 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern |
| Semifinalist Notification | By the end of October 2026 |
| Semifinalist Application | November 2026 |
| Regional Finalist Interviews | Late January to early February 2027 |
| Final Scholar Selection | April 2027 |
| Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend | April 2027 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Coca-Cola Scholarship 2027 fully funded?
No. It provides a $20,000 college scholarship. It is not a full-ride scholarship that covers all college expenses.
Can international students apply?
Generally, no. Applicants must meet the Foundation’s citizenship or eligible immigration-status requirements and the applicable school-location requirements.
Do I need essays for the first application?
No. Essays, transcripts, and a recommendation are required only if you advance to the semifinalist stage.
Can homeschool students apply?
Yes. Homeschool students can apply if they meet the other eligibility requirements.
Is the scholarship based on financial need?
No. The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is an achievement-based scholarship.
Can gap-year students apply?
No. Applicants must be current high school students graduating during the 2026-2027 academic year.
Is there an application fee?
No. There is no application fee.
Can I submit my application by email or mail?
No. The application is submitted through the official online application system.
Official Links
🌐 Official Website: https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/
📝 Official Application: https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/apply/
📄 Official FAQ: https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/about/faq/
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