Coca-Cola Scholars Program Nears 2011 Application Deadline

Created in 1986 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Coca-Cola, the Coca-Cola Scholars program is celebrating 25 years of awarding huge scholarships to deserving high school students across the nation.

Including the Class of 2011, there are now 4,750 Coca-Cola Scholars who have benefited from nearly $45 million in scholarship awards.

Each year, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards over $3 million in achievement-based four-year college scholarships to 250 outstanding high school seniors. The scholarships are broken into 200 regional awards of $10,000 and 50 national awards of $20,000 each.

Applicants are evaluated on the basis of “demonstrated leadership in academics, school, community and civic activities, as well as personal character and the motivation to serve and succeed.” Students are invited to submit applications by no later than October 31, 2011 and must be

• Current high school (or home-schooled) seniors attending school in the US or select DoD schools


• US citizens or holding other approved citizenship status


• Anticipating completion of high school diploma at the time of application


• Planning to pursue a degree at an accredited US postsecondary institution


• Carrying a minimum 3.00 GPA at the end of junior year of high school

To begin the application process, students are asked to register by establishing a user name and password. The application form, though long, asks many of the same general academic and extracurricular questions asked by most colleges on their applications. It’s easy. There are no essays at this stage.

From the total group of applicants, approximately 2,200 students will be selected as semifinalists in mid-November. Semifinalists must then complete a secondary application which includes essays, official transcripts, and two letters of recommendations.

In mid-February, 250 finalists will be selected and invited to Atlanta for personal interviews. It is from this group that regional and national awardees are chosen.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation works to not only support scholarship programs, but also to provide alumni enrichment opportunities. It is through this work, Coca-Cola hopes to develop a network of community leaders “whose vision will help shape the world, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.”

If you are a high school senior with the potential to become one of these leaders, take the time to apply. Former winners come from all walks of life and represent all kinds of academic interests. The one common element, however, is a desire to be of service to their schools and in the community.

For more information, visit the Coca-Cola Scholars website.