Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship 2027: Up to $25,000, No GPA Required — Deadline Jan 5

The Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship 2027 is open now, with more than $13 million available and individual awards of $5,000, $10,000, and $25,000. Here is the best part: you do not need a GPA, test scores, or a resume to apply. If you are between 16 and 26 years old and have a passion you want to turn into an education, you can apply with a two-minute video or a short essay. The deadline is January 5, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. PT.

Quick answer: The Taco Bell Foundation's 12th annual Live Más Scholarship offers awards of $5,000, $10,000, and $25,000 to students ages 16–26. No GPA, test scores, or resume are required — apply with a two-minute video or a 250–500-word essay about your passion. Applications opened October 13, 2026, and close January 5, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. PT. Winners are announced in spring 2027, and awards are renewable for up to four years.

How Much Is the Live Más Scholarship Worth?

The Taco Bell Foundation is giving away more than $13 million in the 2027 round. Individual scholarships come in three amounts:

• $5,000 — for students starting their education journey.
• $10,000 — for students with a clear plan for their passion.
• $25,000 — the top award, for students with a powerful story and big ambitions.

Awards are renewable for up to four years, so a $25,000 scholarship can support you through much of your degree. Scholarship funds become available beginning in fall 2027 and can be used for the 2027–28 academic year and beyond while you remain eligible. Taco Bell team members are eligible too — in fact, the first recipient of the 2027 class was a Taco Bell team member from Los Angeles who received a surprise $25,000 award from CEO Sean Tresvant.

Who Can Apply for the Live Más Scholarship?

Eligibility is refreshingly simple. You must:

• Be 16 to 26 years old as of the January 5, 2027 deadline.
• Be a legal resident of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, D.C., and located in the United States or D.C. — or be the dependent child of an active-duty U.S. military member.
• Be on track for a high school diploma or GED, or enrolled in a post-secondary program.

There is no minimum GPA, no test score requirement, and no resume. The scholarship rewards passion, purpose, and community impact — not grades. Never pay to apply for a scholarship — the real Live Más application is free on the Taco Bell Foundation website, and anyone charging a fee is running a scam.

Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship 2027: Key Dates

• October 13, 2026: Application period opens.
• October 27, 2026: Taco Bell Foundation officially announces the 2027 round.
• January 5, 2027, 5:00 p.m. PT (8:00 p.m. ET): Application deadline.
• Spring 2027: Recipients announced.
• Fall 2027: Scholarship funds become available for the 2027–28 academic year.

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How to Apply for the Live Más Scholarship

The application takes far less time than most scholarships. Here is how it works:

1. Go to the official page. Apply at the Taco Bell Foundation's Live Más Scholarship page (tacobellfoundation.org/live-mas-scholarship).
2. Create your entry. Choose one of two formats: a video of up to two minutes or a written essay of 250–500 words.
3. Answer the core question. Explain what you are passionate about, how your community shaped you, and how you plan to use your education to make a difference.
4. Submit your contact information and your entry before January 5, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. PT.

That is the whole application — no transcripts, no test scores, no recommendation letters.

How to Make Your Video or Essay Stand Out

Because grades do not matter here, your story is everything. Judges look for authenticity, purpose, and impact:

• Be specific about your passion. "I love art" is forgettable. "I teach free drawing classes to kids at my local library every Saturday" is memorable.
• Show your community impact. Explain who benefits when you succeed — your family, your neighborhood, or a group you serve.
• Connect the scholarship to a plan. Name the program, trade, or degree you will pursue and what you will do with it.
• Be yourself on camera. If you choose video, film in good light, speak naturally, and let your enthusiasm show. A phone recording is fine.
• Keep it tight. Two minutes goes fast — script your main points and practice once before recording.

Can Taco Bell Employees Apply?

Yes. Current Taco Bell team members are explicitly eligible, and the program celebrates them — the first 2027 recipient announced was Jose Q., a Taco Bell team member in Los Angeles, who was surprised with a $25,000 scholarship after financial barriers had forced him to put his college education on hold. Employees apply through the same process and the same deadline.

The Live Más Scholarship pairs well with other no-GPA and employer scholarships. If you work in food service, also check the McDonald's HACER National Scholarship, and remember to file the 2027–28 FAFSA so you do not miss need-based aid. For a full list of open awards, see our scholarships with deadlines from November 2026 to March 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship?
Awards are $5,000, $10,000, or $25,000. More than $13 million is available in total for the 2027 round, and awards are renewable for up to four years.

What is the deadline for the Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship 2027?
January 5, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time (8:00 p.m. Eastern). Applications opened October 13, 2026.

Do I need a GPA to apply for the Live Más Scholarship?
No. The scholarship does not require a GPA, test scores, or a resume. Selection is based on your passion, purpose, and community impact.

Can I apply with a video or an essay?
Either one. Submit a video up to two minutes long, or a written essay of 250–500 words, explaining your passion and how you plan to make a difference.

Who is eligible for the Live Más Scholarship?
Students ages 16–26 who are legal residents of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, D.C., or dependent children of active-duty U.S. military members. Taco Bell employees are also eligible.

When are Live Más Scholarship winners announced?
Recipients for the 2027 round will be announced in spring 2027. Funds become available beginning in fall 2027.

Related: McDonald's HACER National Scholarship 2027 · How to Spot Scholarship Scams · Scholarships With Deadlines Nov 2026–Mar 2027

Sources: Taco Bell / Taco Bell Foundation official announcement (October 27, 2026); Taco Bell Foundation Live Más Scholarship page. Always confirm the deadline and eligibility on the official page before applying. Warning: never pay to apply for a scholarship — legitimate scholarships are free to enter.