Scholars Guide

Burger King Scholars, 2027–2028 school year

Flame-grilled funding for college.$1,000 to $60,000

Education awards for graduating high school seniors, past recipients, and Burger King employees and their families across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and Canada.

Applications close December 15, 2026 11:59 p.m. Central Time
Apply on the official site Check if you qualify
Minimum GPA
2.0 cumulative
Most awards
$1,000–$5,000
Top award
$60,000
Decisions
April 2027

Two ways to qualify.

A 2.0 GPA gets you in the door, but your track decides the rest. Find the one that describes you, then confirm the details on the official page.

General Track

Graduating seniors and past recipients

  • First-time applicants must be high school seniors graduating in 2027, including homeschool graduates and Canadian equivalents.
  • Current undergraduates can apply only if they have received a Burger King scholarship before.
  • Full-time enrollment is required for the whole 2027–2028 academic year at an eligible school.
  • Residency in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam or Canada.

Employee-Based Track

Employees and their families

  • Who counts: employees of Burger King Company LLC or participating franchisees, plus their spouses, domestic partners and dependent children.
  • Payroll time: employees need at least three months on a participating employer's payroll by the deadline.
  • Flexible study: full-time or part-time enrollment both qualify, and some enrichment and certification courses are eligible.
  • Every application is reviewed on this track, with no cap.
30,000

Only the first 30,000 General Track applications are reviewed.The portal may stay open until December 15, but once that many community applications arrive, later ones won't be considered. Employee-Based applicants aren't affected. Apply early.

Graduates in caps and gowns tossing their caps into the air
Class of 2027, this one's for you.
Three college students laughing together around a table with laptops
A flame-grilled burger on a dark background

What's on the menu.

Most scholarships are $1,000 to $5,000, set by participating franchise funding and location. A small number of named awards go much higher.

  • James W. McLamore WHOPPER Scholarship$60,000

    Up to 3 awarded. For U.S. or Canadian citizens entering a four-year college full-time as freshmen, with a 3.5 unweighted GPA, active leadership, substantial work experience and financial need.

  • Nancy McLamore Scholarship$20,000

    2 awarded.

  • King Awards$15,000

    Up to 7 awarded.

  • Hometown Scholarships$10,000

    2 awarded.

  • Regional awards$5,000

    Up to 15 awarded.

  • Standard scholarships$1,000–$5,000

    The most common award, on both tracks.

Named awards carry their own requirements. Check each one on the official page before you apply.

How to apply.

The application is online through Scholarship America. Have these ready before you start so you can finish in one sitting.

  1. Confirm your track

    Read the General or Employee-Based requirements on the official page so you know exactly what applies to you.

  2. Gather your documents

    A complete transcript, plus the first two pages of your household's most recently filed IRS Form 1040 for the financial section. Black out Social Security numbers first.

  3. Submit early

    Finish before December 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central. Use a personal email you'll still check in April, since that's where your decision arrives.

October 15, 2026Applications open
December 15, 2026Deadline, 11:59 p.m. Central
April 2027Applicants notified by email

How you're scored

Grades matter, but so does what you do outside class. Awards are not guaranteed.

Know a senior who should apply?

Send them the official application link. The earlier they start, the better their odds of being in the first 30,000.