Coca Cola Scholarship 2023 Update – The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, or CCSF (as it is sometimes called) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) based in Atlanta, Georgia.
A subsidiary of The Coca Cola Company, It is a non-profit organization
Bear in mind that The Coca-Cola Company currently remains the world’s biggest producer and distributor of non-alcoholic beverages worldwide.
The Coca Cola Company, in partnership with Its many subsidiaries and partners (including The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation) provides scholarships and other educational grants to around 1,400 students each year in scholarship amounts reaching well over $3.3 million annually.
History of Coca Cola Scholarship
At the verge of its hundredth anniversary in 1986, decision makers in the global beverage bottling industry decided to make a large financial donation that birthed the Coca-Cola Scholars Program.
During its first year of operation, around 150 students in the United States who were planning on attending college were awarded four-year grants.
Presently, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards around $20,000 worth of scholarships and grants to 150 rising college freshmen annually.
In 2022, the Foundation also launched a programme to train some 7000 African women in different fields and capacities.
Benefits of the Coca-Cola Scholarships 2023
The Coca-Cola Scholarship has numerous benefits that the awardees stand to gain.
Of course, it saves you $20,000 on College funds which is a major boost for you to realize your dreams.
But, there are some other great benefits to be enjoyed as a recipient of the Coca-Cola Scholarship
Winners of the scholarship visit the city of Atlanta for the Coca-Cola Scholars weekend.
Here, they meet other current and past scholars. Together, they visit local sites in Atlanta, participate in various leadership workshops, and work on a service project of their choosing
Scholars are also invited as guests of honor to the annual scholar’s banquet.
Here, they get recognized by Coca-Cola employees, educators, sponsors and both local and International Dignitaries.
The Coca-Cola scholarship is highly competitive and successfully clinching a spot in the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is a huge honor in itself.
Available Scholarships
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards Scholarship funding through three different scholarship programs each year:
1. The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to highly deserving students who are in their last year of High School. It is merit based
The successful recipients of the Scholarship are recognized for their capacity to lead efficiently.
Their commitment to making a significant positive impact on their schools and immediate society.
With the 34th class of Coca-Cola Scholars that was awarded in 2022, the Foundation has created over 6,600 Scholars spending more than $78 million in the process.
Annually, 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected to be awarded with $20,000 worth scholarship funds.
The 35th class will however be announced in March 2023.
2. The Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation also supports two-year colleges and associate programs through the “Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Program”, jointly overseen by Phi Theta Kappa.
The Program awards stipends to 200 Students (up to $237,500) yearly across four categories of awardees in different amounts:
- 50 New Century Gold Scholars receive $1,500 each
- 50 Silver Scholars receive $1,250 each
- 50 Bronze Scholars receive $1,000 each
Visit the Official Site to access application details
3. Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise
Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise is Phi Theta Kappa’s premier scholarship program open to its members to be implemented during the time they are enrolled in Community Colleges.
$1,000 each will be awarded to 200 awardees based on submitted applications by members.
Visit the Official Site to access application details
Coca Cola Scholarships Eligibility Requirements
Applicants applying for this scholarship must be:
- High school students currently studying in the United States or Students who will graduate during the academic school year of their Scholarship Application
- Citizens of the U.S, U.S Nationals, Permanent Residents, Refugees, Asylees, and other Humanitarian Parolees” – based on the guidelines laid down by the UsS Department of Education.
- Expecting their high school diploma during the current application year.
- Planning to commence their Tertiary Education in a University in the U.S
- Able to prove obtaining a minimum overall B/3.0 GPA through high school.
The following Classes of people are not eligible to apply:
- Children, grandchildren or relatives of current employees, owners or officers of Coca-Cola bottling companies, The Coca-Cola Company, Company divisions, or its subsidiaries.
- Children, grandchildren or relatives of former employees of The CocaCOla Company or its Subsidiaries.
- International students except students currently studying at DoD schools
- High school graduates
- Temporary residents in the United States
Selection Criteria
Normally, the Coca-Cola Foundation receives at least 100,000 applications from which around 2,000 are chosen as Semifinalists. In this step, Regional representation across the United States is often considered
The 2,000 Semifinalists are then requested to complete an application in written form after which around 250 Regional Finalists are selected.
After this stage, the Regional Finalists complete interviews with prior awardees and CCSF staff. Next, the 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected.
The Coca-Cola Scholars are then invited to the city of Atlanta for the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend, where they are required to take part in a Leadership Development Institute.
The purpose of this is to further develop their leadership skills, tour local landmarks, engage with Coca-Cola Scholar alumni, and participate in a group community service project.
The Scholars are also honored by the annual Scholars Banquet, where they are celebrated by representatives from the Coca-Cola Company, sponsors. both local and international dignitaries and renowned educators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When does the Coca-Cola Scholars application open?
The 2023 Coca-Cola Scholarship application is now closed.
A. Thank you to the 90,000 students who had handed in their applications.
Applicants who advance to phase 2 as Semi Finalists will be duly notified through appropriate channels in mid- to late November
Q. What is the Application Deadline for this Scholarship?
A. The deadline for submission of the application eligibility quiz has not yet been set.
However, we shall update this post accordingly once that has been done
Q. Am I eligible to apply for this scholarship if I am an international student ?
A. Check the Eligibility Criteria above
Also, US Citizens attending American Schools abroad are not eligible to apply for this Scholarship opportunity.
Q. I am a homeschool student. Am I eligible to apply?
A. Yes, only if you meet all our Eligibility Criteria
Q. Where can I find the Scholarship application link?
A. We shall make the 2024 application available on our website in August 2023 for students who are high school finalists at that time.
Q. Is this an income or minority-based scholarship?
A. The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is a merit-based scholarship that looks to reward only the most outstanding Students..
Applicants are screened and selected based on academics, leadership and service.
Although applicants are required to submit Income and Ethnicity Information during application, those are used only for Accountability and Report Purposes Only.