Coca-Cola Scholars Program 2027: $20,000 Award — Deadline Closed, How to Prepare for 2028

High school graduate in a red gown holding a diploma with confetti for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program 2027

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program 2027 application closed on September 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern, and the 150 winners of $20,000 each are now being selected from more than 113,000 applicants. If you missed this cycle, the 2028 application opens in August 2027 — and this guide explains exactly what made the 2027 cycle tick, how selection works, and how to prepare a stronger application for next year.

Quick Answer: What Is the Coca-Cola Scholars Program?

Direct answer: The Coca-Cola Scholars Program, run by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, awards $20,000 scholarships to 150 high school seniors each year. It is one of the largest and most competitive merit scholarships in the United States: for 2027, more than 113,000 students applied, 1,227 were named semifinalists, 250 became regional finalists, and 150 were chosen as Scholars. Eligibility is simple — a minimum 3.0 GPA and current enrollment as a high school senior at a U.S. school planning to attend an accredited U.S. college — but selection rewards leadership, service, and commitment to making a difference. The 2027 application closed September 30, 2026; the 2028 cycle opens in August 2027.

Coca-Cola Scholars Program 2027: Key Facts

Award amount: $20,000 per Scholar (150 Scholars per year)
2027 deadline: September 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern — closed
Next cycle: 2028 application opens in August 2027
Applicants (2027): 113,000+
Semifinalists: 1,227
Regional finalists: 250
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Who can apply: High school seniors at a U.S. school planning to attend an accredited U.S. college or university
Selection: Leadership, service, commitment to making a positive impact; no financial-need test
Official source: coca-colascholarsfoundation.org

Why the 2027 Cycle Is Already Over

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program runs one of the earliest deadlines of any major national scholarship — the last day of September — because its multi-stage selection takes seven months. Semifinalists were notified in November 2026 and asked for transcripts and recommendations; regional finalists were interviewed in early 2027; and the 150 Scholars were announced in spring 2027. If you are a junior now, the timeline works in your favor: you have ten months to build the leadership record the judges want before the 2028 application opens in August 2027.

Students volunteering together at a food bank for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program 2027

How Selection Works

Selection has four stages. First, an initial review cuts the 113,000+ applications to 1,227 semifinalists, based on the application and essays. Second, semifinalists submit transcripts, recommendations, and additional material. Third, 250 regional finalists are interviewed by panels in their region. Fourth, 150 Scholars are chosen. The judges look for sustained leadership and service — not a long list of clubs joined in senior year. If you want to prepare, start a project now that you can describe with real numbers: people served, money raised, hours invested. While you plan, explore more merit scholarships for high school seniors so you have options beyond a single program.

How to Prepare for the 2028 Cycle

Three moves matter most. First, keep your GPA above 3.0 with margin — a single bad semester can drop you below the floor. Second, pick one or two service or leadership commitments and go deep: lead the club, start the fundraiser, run the volunteer program, and keep records of what you achieved. Third, save the August 2027 opening date and start your essays in the summer, when you have time to revise. The application is free, and our 2027–28 FAFSA guide will help you sort out financial aid in parallel, since Coca-Cola Scholars still need a funding plan for the rest of college costs.

What Coca-Cola Scholars Get Beyond the Money

The $20,000 is paid over four years, but the network matters as much as the check: Scholars join an alumni community of more than 7,000 people, with leadership summits, mentoring, and career connections that last well past graduation. The foundation also runs regional leadership events for semifinalists and finalists, so even students who do not win the final award often leave the process with new contacts and experience.

Important warning: Never pay to apply for a scholarship. The Coca-Cola Scholars application is free on the official Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation website. Any person or site charging a fee to apply for this program is running a scam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Coca-Cola Scholars Program 2027 still open?

No. The 2027 application closed on September 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern. The 2028 application opens in August 2027.

How much is the Coca-Cola Scholarship?

$20,000 per Scholar, paid over four years. One hundred fifty Scholars are chosen each year.

What GPA do you need for Coca-Cola Scholars?

A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. There is no financial-need requirement.

How many students apply to Coca-Cola Scholars each year?

More than 113,000 students applied for the 2027 cycle. From those, 1,227 were named semifinalists, 250 became regional finalists, and 150 were chosen as Scholars.

What does the Coca-Cola Scholars selection look for?

Leadership, service, and a commitment to making a positive impact on your school and community, judged through the application, essays, transcripts, recommendations, and regional interviews.

When do Coca-Cola Scholars winners get announced?

The 150 Scholars for each cycle are announced in spring, after regional finalist interviews. For 2027, announcements came in spring 2027.

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