Since 1986 the Coca-Cola Foundation has been awarding scholarships to deserving high school seniors. Each year 250 scholars are identified. 200 of the Coca-Cola Scholars will receive $10,000, the other 50 will receive $20,000 over their four years in college. Although the application is extensive, a typical year brings in more than 100,000 applicants. The initial Coca-Cola Scholars application requires a lot of facts about the scholarship candidate, including school involvement, community service, GPA, work experience and honors. The first stage of the Coca-Cola Scholars application does not require essays, transcripts, resumes or recommendations. However, by late December, approximately 2200 applicants are chosen as semi-finalists in the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, and are asked to write a series of essays and provide additional information. Finalists in the Coca-Cola Scholars Program are notified in March. They are invited to Atlanta, Georgia in April for an interview. Only 250 students are invited to Atlanta and they are all Coca-Cola Scholars.

Eligibility requirements for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program:

- High school senior at time of application (home-schooled students are eligible)
- U.S. Citizen; U.S. National; U.S. Permanent Resident; Temporary Resident (legalization program); Refugee; Asylee; Cuban-Haitian Entrant; or Humanitarian Parolee;
- Students must have a 3.00 GPA through the end of their junior year
- Students must be planning to persue a degree in a college, trade school or other accredited U.S. post-secondary institution

Those prohibited from entering include children or grandchildren of employees, officers, or owners of Coca-Cola bottling companies, The Coca-Cola Company or any other bottler or Company divisions or subsidiaries.

 
Deadline:

This year's deadline for the online application is October 31, 2010. Applications for the scholarship are available from their website.  Frequently asked questions are also available on their website or by calling (800) 306-2653 for more information.

Here are more FAQ's about the Coca-Cola Scholars Program.