Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, or the CCSF, is a non-profit organization that works on behalf and at the direction of the Coca-Cola system (including The Coca-Cola Company, the world's largest producer of non-alcoholic beverages, and its many subsidiaries) to provide scholarships to some 1,400 students annually in amounts totaling over $3.4 million each year. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has the stated mission to "provide scholarship programs and enrichment opportunities in support of exceptional young peoples' thirst for knowledge and their desire to make a difference in the world." The CCSF was founded in 1986, and since its inception has helped fund the college education of more than 4,500 Coca-Cola Scholars with over $41 million. According to the CCSF, however, their vision is much broader than just helping fund a college education. They hope to "develop a powerful network of community leaders, touched by Coca−Cola, whose vision will help shape the world, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come." The Coca-Cola Scholarships are meant to "reward leadership and excellence as exemplified through academic achievement and extracurricular activities, including commitment to community service."

History

As Coca-Cola was approaching its centennial in 1986, leaders in the bottling industry decided to make a large financial gift that then became the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. In its first year, 150 graduating seniors planning on attending college were awarded four-year grants. Later, those grants grew into $20,000 scholarships for 50 students annually and $10,000 scholarships for another 200 students annually ($5,000/year for 4 years and $2,500/year for four years respectively). Now, Coca-Cola awards $20,000 grants for 150 rising college freshman annually. Coca-Cola Scholars often refer to their bond with other scholars fondly, calling themselves a "family" or a "community," frequently engaging in service activities, social reunions, and offering internship and employment opportunities to younger scholars.

Selection process

First, a long online application must be completed in which students fill in numerical information regarding their academic achievements and leadership and service in extracurricular involvement. Typically, the CCSF receives between 85,000 and 110,000 applications between August and the end of October each year. These applications are scored electronically and from the set of applicants, 2,500 are automatically selected as semi-finalists. Regional representation across the United States is considered in this step.

The 2,500 semi-finalists are then asked to complete an extensive written application which includes essays and an in depth look at each scholar. From this pool, approximately 250 Coca-Cola Finalists are selected, and they are required to do an interview, either through Skype or in person. After the interview, 150 Finalists are named Coca-Cola Scholars and are invited to an all-expense-paid trip to Atlanta during which they do many fun activities, focusing on leadership development, community service work, and teamwork. These students also participate in group sessions conducted by community leaders and alumni of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program.

150 of the 250 Coca-Cola Scholar Finalists are named as Coca-Cola Scholars. The remaining 100 students are Coca-Cola Finalists and receive a $1000 educational stipend.

In the past, during the interviews, 50 scholars were chosen as National Coca-Cola Scholars and received the larger $20,000 scholarship. The other 200 were named Regional Coca-Cola Scholars, and received $10,000 scholarships. Other than the difference in monetary compensation, the two types of scholars are treated no differently. Beyond this, there are sometimes additional scholars who receive other honors, like scholarships specifically for Emory University and the Coca-Cola Alumni Scholarship, first created for the graduating high school Class of 2008.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for a Coca−Cola Scholarship, one must be a current high school or home-school senior planning to graduate from a school or program in the United States during the academic year in which application is made. Additionally, students must be U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Permanent Residents, Temporary Residents (legalization program), Refugees, Asylee, Cuban-Haitian Entrants, or Humanitarian Parolees. Furthermore, they must plan to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution and carry a minimum 3.00 GPA at the end of your junior year of high school. Applicants may not be 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.