The Coca-Cola Scholarship Program: Empowering Global Leaders

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is a prestigious, achievement-based scholarship that recognizes and rewards exceptional high school students across the United States and beyond. Established in 1986, this program has become one of the largest and most competitive corporate-sponsored scholarship initiatives in the country, providing over $84 million in scholarships to more than 6,900 students over the past 36 years. What Makes the Coca-Cola Scholars Program Unique?The Coca-Cola Scholars Program stands out for its unwavering commitment to identifying and supporting young leaders who demonstrate a passion for making a positive impact on their communities and the world. Unlike many traditional scholarship programs that focus solely on academic achievement, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program places equal emphasis on leadership, service, and the ability to enact meaningful change.Each year, the program receives over 100,000 applications from high school seniors across the country, with only 150 students ultimately selected as Coca-Cola Scholars. This highly competitive selection process ensures that the recipients are truly exceptional individuals who have already made significant contributions to their communities and have the potential to become visionary leaders of the future.The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation: Investing in the Next Generation The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, a joint effort between Coca-Cola bottlers and The Coca-Cola Company, is the driving force behind the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. The foundation’s mission is to “bring better to the world through investment in exceptional high school students who are dedicated to leadership, service, and action that positively affects others.”Through the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, the foundation provides each selected scholar with a $20,000 college scholarship, which can be used to pursue their educational goals at any accredited post-secondary institution in the United States. In addition to the financial support, the program offers a range of enrichment opportunities, including the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend in Atlanta, where scholars participate in leadership development workshops and networking events with fellow scholars and program alumni. Eligibility and Selection Criteria To be eligible for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, applicants must be currently enrolled high school students who are expected to graduate during the 2024-2025 academic year. They must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, refugees, asylees, Cuban-Haitian entrants, or humanitarian parolees, and they must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in their high school coursework.The selection process for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is highly competitive, with only a small fraction of applicants ultimately receiving the prestigious scholarship. The selection committee evaluates each applicant based on their demonstrated leadership, service, and commitment to making a positive impact on their communities and the world. Coca-Cola Scholars: Visionary Leaders Refreshing the World The Coca-Cola Scholars Program has a long history of identifying and supporting exceptional young leaders who are dedicated to making a difference. These scholars come from diverse backgrounds and pursue a wide range of academic and professional interests, but they are united by their shared commitment to using their talents and resources to create positive change.Coca-Cola Scholars can be found in every corner of the globe, working in fields ranging from education and business to healthcare, the arts, and beyond. They are scientists and politicians, educators and actors, technologists and thinkers – all driven by a common goal of making the world a better place.One notable example is Erin Gruwell, a 1988 Coca-Cola Scholar who went on to become a renowned teacher and the subject of the acclaimed film “Freedom Writers.” Gruwell’s work with underprivileged students in Long Beach, California, inspired them to overcome their challenges and achieve academic success, ultimately transforming their lives and the lives of those around them.Another Coca-Cola Scholar, Kiran Sridhar, founded Waste No Food, a nonprofit organization that connects food businesses with local charities to reduce food waste and feed the hungry. Sridhar’s innovative approach has had a significant impact on his community and has inspired others to follow in his footsteps.These are just a few of the countless Coca-Cola Scholars who are making a difference in the world, using their talents and resources to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time.The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation: Expanding Global ReachWhile the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is primarily focused on supporting exceptional high school students within the United States, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has also made efforts to extend its reach to international students.Through partnerships with organizations like the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the foundation offers additional scholarship opportunities for community college students, including the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Program and the Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship.These initiatives provide financial support and recognition to students from diverse backgrounds, including international students, who are pursuing their educational goals at community colleges and other post-secondary institutions.Conclusion: Investing in the Future of Global Leadership The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is more than just a scholarship; it is a testament to the power of investing in the next generation of visionary leaders. By recognizing and supporting exceptional high school students who are dedicated to making a positive impact on their communities and the world, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is helping to shape the future of global leadership.As the program continues to grow and evolve, it is poised to have an even greater impact, inspiring and empowering young people around the world to use their talents and resources to create a better tomorrow. Through the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, the foundation is not only investing in the future of individual scholars, but in the collective future of humanity.

FAQ: Coca-Cola Scholarships for All Nations

What is the Coca-Cola Scholars Program?
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is an achievement-based scholarship program that recognizes and rewards exceptional high school students in the United States for their leadership, service, and commitment to making a positive impact on their communities and the world. Each year, the program awards 150 scholarships of $20,000 each to selected scholars.Who is eligible for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program?
To be eligible for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, applicants must be currently enrolled high school students who are expected to graduate during the 2024-2025 academic year. They must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, refugees, asylees, Cuban-Haitian entrants, or humanitarian parolees, and they must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in their high school coursework.Are international students eligible for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program?
Unfortunately, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is primarily focused on supporting exceptional high school students within the United States, and international students (with the exception of students at DoD schools) are not eligible to apply. However, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation does offer additional scholarship opportunities for international students through partnerships with organizations like the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.What are the benefits of being a Coca-Cola Scholar?
In addition to the $20,000 college scholarship, Coca-Cola Scholars receive a range of enrichment opportunities, including the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend in Atlanta, where they participate in leadership development workshops and networking events with fellow scholars and program alumni. Coca-Cola Scholars also become part of a vibrant and growing alumni network, which provides opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and continued impact.How can international students apply for Coca-Cola scholarships?
While international students are not eligible for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation does offer other scholarship opportunities for international students through partnerships with organizations like the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Interested international students should visit the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation website or the websites of these partner organizations to learn more about the application process and eligibility requirements for these alternative scholarship programs.