Coca Cola First Generation Scholarship In Partnership
Before you spend hours on this
Will this scholarship actually lower your cost?
Not always. Many colleges reduce your financial-aid package when you win an outside scholarship — sometimes dollar-for-dollar — so the money can end up saving the school instead of you. It's called scholarship displacement. Two free tools tell you where you actually stand:
General guidance, not financial advice — your school's financial aid office is the only authority on how they treat outside awards. Always confirm with them before deciding.
Best fit for
First-generation students at participating partner colleges. The competition is local to your institution — much smaller pool than national applicant counts suggest.
What they actually look for
The Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship is administered through PARTNER INSTITUTIONS — meaning the awards are distributed BY YOUR COLLEGE, not by Coca-Cola directly. Participating partners include UNCF schools, HSF partner colleges, and many community colleges. The first-gen requirement is strictly enforced (parent's high school + community college credits don't disqualify you; only a 4-year degree does).
What you'll need
- First-generation college student (your parents did not complete a 4-year college degree)
- Current college student attending a participating Coca-Cola partner institution (typically community colleges + HBCUs + Hispanic-Serving Institutions)
- Strong academic record (most winners are 3.0+ GPA)
- Demonstrated leadership in your campus + community
- Multiple essays on first-gen journey, goals, and impact
- Apply through your partner institution's financial aid office — NOT directly to Coca-Cola
When to start
Talk to your college's financial aid office or scholarship coordinator about Coca-Cola First-Gen specifically. Deadlines vary by institution — typically October-December for the following academic year.
Watch out for
If your college isn't a Coca-Cola partner, you can't apply through this program. Check your institution's first-gen scholarship listings — there may be a different first-gen-specific award available locally. Many colleges also have THEIR OWN first-gen institutional scholarships (separate from Coca-Cola) that you should also apply to.