Introduction

The Coca‑Cola Scholars Program is more than a $20,000 grant, it’s a launchpad for leadership. Each year 150 outstanding high school seniors across the U.S. are selected based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and community impact. With a network of over 7,000 past scholars, the program provides mentorship, development events, and lifelong connections studentscholarships.org+9coca-colascholarsfoundation.org+9scholarsavenue.com+9aralia.com+1scholarsavenue.com+1edvisors.com+2opportunitiescorners.com+2studentscholarships.org+2scholarsavenue.com.

What Is the Coca‑Cola Scholars Program?

Established in 1986, the foundation distributes $3.55 million annually through three main awards:

• The flagship Coca‑Cola Scholars Program—$20,000 to 150 final-year high school students coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.

• The Community College Academic Team and Leaders of Promise—awards up to $1,500 for Phi Theta Kappa students coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.

Mission & Vision

CCSF aims to empower emerging leaders who demonstrate academic commitment, community service, and potential for broader social impact. Scholars join a growing legacy of changemakers including senators, nonprofit founders, and higher education leaders en.wikipedia.org+3aralia.com+3coca-colascholarsfoundation.org+3.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be high school seniors in U.S. states, DC, Puerto Rico, or select DoD schools opportunitiescorners.com+9coca-colascholarsfoundation.org+9vviewisd.net+9

• Hold U.S. Citizenship, permanent resident or eligible immigration status vviewisd.net+1edvisors.com+1

• Minimum GPA: B/3.0 edvisors.com+8coca-colascholarsfoundation.org+8studentscholarships.org+8

• Cannot be children/grandchildren of current or retired Coca‑Cola employees studentscholarships.org+7coca-colascholarsfoundation.org+7vviewisd.net+7

Application Timeline & Process

• Opens August 1, 2025; Deadline: September 30, 2025 opportunitiescorners.com+2coca-colascholarsfoundation.org+2aralia.com+2

• Phase 1: Basic online quiz and biographical info

• Phase 2: ~1,500 semifinalists submit essays & transcripts

• Phase 3: ~250 finalists attend virtual interviews

• Phase 4: Top 150 scholars attend Scholars Weekend in Atlanta studentscholarships.org+6aralia.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6

Selection Criteria

CCSF emphasizes three traits:

• Leadership: leading initiatives or organizations

• Service: meaningful community contributions

• Academic excellence: GPA in challenging courses coca-colascholarsfoundation.org+5en.wikipedia.org+5coca-colascholarsfoundation.org+5vviewisd.net+9aralia.com+9scholarsavenue.com+9

Benefits of Being a Coca‑Cola Scholar

• $20,000 award, usable over 10 years for tuition and expenses aralia.com

• Networking with a global alumni community

• Leadership Summit participation every 5 years coca-colascholarsfoundation.org+1scholarsavenue.com+1aralia.com+1coca-colascholarsfoundation.org+1

Notable Alumni & Success Stories

Alumni include leaders such as Michelle Wu (Mayor of Boston), Ben Sasse (U.S. Senator), and Alex Morse (Mayor of Holyoke) aralia.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1.

Tips for a Standout Application

• Highlight long-term leadership and service

• Choose impactful activities over many minor roles

• Maintain strong GPA in advanced coursework

• Prepare for virtual interviews with examples of values-based leadership scholarsavenue.comscholarsavenue.com+4aralia.com+4edvisors.com+4

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Delaying applications

• Undervaluing lesser-known community efforts

• Weak references or errors in application

After You Become a Scholar

Winners attend the prestigious Scholars Weekend in Atlanta for leadership training and networking. Alumni engage in reunions, mentorship, and advocacy .

Comparisons with Other U.S. Scholarships

Compared to large academic awards like Regents, Gates, and National Merit, Coca‑Cola stands out for its leadership and service focus rather than narrow test-based or purely financial criteria.

Conclusion

The Coca‑Cola Scholars Program 2025 provides more than a $20,000 award—it offers a community, mentorship, and a platform to build social good. Whether you’re driving change at school, tackling issues in your community, or rising academically, this scholarship recognizes your potential and power to lead.

If you’re a high school senior with strong values, meaningful leadership and community service records, and meet eligibility requirements—start preparing now. Reflect on your story, gather references, and practice your interview. This life-changing opportunity could be your gateway to becoming part of a network of global changemakers. Take the first step—your impact begins here.

FAQs

1. When does the application open and close?
   Opens August 1, 2025; closes September 30, 2025 scholarsavenue.com+1scholarships.com+1.

2. Who is eligible?
   U.S. high school seniors with a GPA of B/3.0+, eligible status, and leadership/service records coca-colascholarsfoundation.org+1studentscholarships.org+1.

3. Can award money be used for non-tuition?
   Yes—approved academic expenses (books, housing, equipment) within 10 years .

4. Are children of Coca‑Cola employees eligible?
   No—this is a strict exclusion rule vviewisd.net+5coca-colascholarsfoundation.org+5scholarsavenue.com+5.

5. What can I expect at Scholars Weekend?
   Leadership workshops, networking, tours in Atlanta, and community service activities .

Let me know if you’d like help shaping your essays or prepping for the interview!