Reviewed by: Callie Morrison
High school students, you can win a $20,000 scholarship—apply now
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For over a century, The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED have played crucial roles in the growth of Birmingham. But, their contributions go far beyond beverages.
The highly esteemed Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation lends a helping hand to high school students nationwide. We talked to one of these local recipients about this honor—here’s what we learned.
Coca-Cola supports high school students nationwide
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the largest achievement-based, corporate-sponsored scholarship program in the country.
Over the last 36 years, the program has awarded over $84 million in scholarships to more than 6,900 students.
“The Coca-Cola system is dedicated to giving back to the communities they serve, and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is proud to be a part of that commitment.”
Jane Hale Hopkins, President, Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
Meet Eshika Kudaravalli, Birmingham-area Coke Scholar
Eshika Kudaravalli graduated from Hoover High School where she was the debate captain and founder of Outstanding Women Leaders in STEM among many other achievements.
For Eshika, becoming a Coke Scholar was a distant dream.
“Receiving the Coca-Cola Scholarship is beyond words for me—it’s a profound affirmation of the impact and value of my hard work.
As cliché as it sounds, this scholarship is a powerful reminder that my efforts have made a meaningful difference. It validates my dedication and inspires me to continue striving for excellence, knowing that my journey is supported and recognized.”
Eshika Kudaravalli
Now, with support from the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, Eshika is at the University of Alabama at Birmingham majoring in Neuroscience.
“For students like myself, these opportunities are invaluable as they alleviate financial burdens, allowing us to focus on our education and development without the stress of significant expenses.
In my case, it enabled me to pursue a BS/MD program, which would have been a significant financial challenge otherwise.”
Eshika Kudaravalli
Coca-Cola UNITED, headquartered right here in Birmingham, adds to the community impact through its Crawford Johnson III and Walker Johnson Jones Scholarship.
Fun fact: The Coca-Cola Scholars Program inspired the establishment of this Coca-Cola UNITED endowment in 1993.
“We believe that identifying these young leaders throughout the country and encouraging their passion for serving others not only empowers the students but also lifts up those around them.”
Jane Hale Hopkins, President, Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
What it takes to become a Coca-Cola Scholar
Ready to apply? To get one step closer to becoming a Coca-Cola Scholar, you must be:
- Enrolled in a high school or homeschool program in the U.S.
- Anticipating a high school diploma during the current academic year
- Planning to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution
- Able to verify a minimum overall high school GPA of 3.0
Check out the full list of eligibility requirements.
Apply for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program by September 30
Don’t miss the opportunity to apply and become one of 150 students to receive a $20,000 scholarship.
- When: Monday, September 30 | 4PM CST
- Apply online
Visit the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation + apply for this one-of-a-kind scholarship today. Good luck, Birmingham!
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