Corporate Scholarships for College (2025 - 2026)

Overview of Corporate Scholarships & Grants

Corporate scholarships are a powerful way for companies to invest in education, nurture future talent, and strengthen diversity across industries. Many large corporations—from tech giants and engineering firms to retailers and fast-food chains—offer scholarships to support students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and community engagement. These programs often go beyond financial aid, providing mentorship, internships, and valuable networking opportunities that help recipients gain real-world experience and career readiness.

This guide explores corporate-sponsored scholarships for high school seniors, college students, and working professionals. Whether you’re majoring in STEM, business, healthcare, or liberal arts, you’ll find a variety of opportunities to apply for funding from well-known brands and organizations. You’ll also discover programs designed specifically for women, underrepresented minorities, and employees pursuing higher education—making this one of the most accessible and career-focused scholarship categories available.

Are There Corporations That Offer Scholarships?

Yes, many large corporations offer scholarships to invest in the next generation of professionals, promote diversity, and build future talent pipelines. These scholarships often target high school seniors, undergraduate students, and underrepresented groups in fields like business, technology, and healthcare.

Examples of corporate-sponsored scholarships:

• Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation: Awards $20,000 to 150 high school seniors each year who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership.
• Google Generation Scholarship: Offers $10,000 to students from underrepresented backgrounds pursuing computer science or tech-related fields.
• Microsoft Disability Scholarship: Awards $5,000 (renewable) to students with disabilities pursuing careers in STEM.
• Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship: Offers $40,000 plus a guaranteed paid internship to high school seniors entering a computer science major.
• Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship: Provides $10,000 annually to students pursuing degrees in engineering or computer science.

Tip: Many of these scholarships include mentorship, networking, and internship opportunities—so they’re a gateway to careers, not just financial aid.

What Is a Corporate Scholarship?

A corporate scholarship is a financial award provided by a company to help students pay for college or vocational training. These scholarships are part of many companies’ community engagement, workforce development, or diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Corporate scholarships may be:

• Merit-Based: Awarded for academic excellence, leadership, or innovation.
• Need-Based: Offered to students with demonstrated financial need.
• Field-Specific: Targeted to students entering fields aligned with the company’s industry (e.g., tech, healthcare, business, engineering).
• Demographic-Focused: Created to support underrepresented students—such as women in STEM, first-generation students, or BIPOC students.

Tip: Some corporate scholarships require applicants to write essays, submit portfolios, or commit to internships or work in a certain field post-graduation.

What Organizations Give the Most Scholarships?

Several organizations stand out for the scale and impact of their scholarship programs—supporting thousands of students each year across the U.S. and globally.

Top scholarship-giving organizations include:

• Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation: Has awarded over $81 million in scholarships since its inception, with a focus on leadership and service.
• Gates Scholarship: Fully funds college expenses (tuition, fees, books, room & board) for 300 high-achieving, low-income minority students each year.
• Jack Kent Cooke Foundation: Offers up to $55,000/year to high-achieving students with financial need, including transfer students and high school seniors.
• Google and Microsoft: Run multiple programs annually for students pursuing computer science and tech careers, especially underrepresented groups.
• UNCF and Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF): Partner with multiple corporations to distribute millions in scholarships to BIPOC students.

Tip: Follow these organizations on LinkedIn and sign up for their email lists to get early notifications of open applications.

What Corporate Scholarships and Grants Are Available for College Students?

Many corporations provide scholarships and grants to support students pursuing higher education, especially in high-demand fields like STEM, business, and technology. These awards are often competitive and include both financial support and career development opportunities.

Top corporate scholarships and grants for college students include:

• Google Scholarship: Offers up to $10,000 for underrepresented students studying computer science and related fields. Includes mentorship and invitations to Google events.
• Microsoft Imagine Cup Global Competition: While not a traditional scholarship, winners receive funding, prizes, and potential career opportunities. Focused on innovation in software, AI, and app development.
• Coca-Cola Scholars Program: Awards $20,000 to high school seniors, but students may use the funding throughout their college journey. Open to students with strong academics and leadership qualities.
• Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship: Provides $10,000 per year (renewable) to students pursuing degrees in computer science, engineering, or physics. U.S. citizenship required.

Tip: Most corporate scholarships are merit-based and require a strong personal essay, GPA, and sometimes community service or project experience.

What Companies Offer Scholarships to High School Students?

Several major companies offer scholarships exclusively to high school seniors preparing to enter college. These programs often focus on leadership, service, academic excellence, or supporting specific demographics.

Examples of corporate scholarships for high school students:

• Coca-Cola Scholars Program: $20,000 for 150 students annually. Highly competitive and based on leadership and community involvement.
• Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship: Provides $40,000 plus a paid Amazon internship for students entering computer science majors. Targets underserved and underrepresented communities.
• Burger King Scholars Program: Offers up to $50,000 in scholarships to employees, their children, and high school students in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.
• McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship: Awards up to $100,000 to Hispanic high school seniors who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and financial need.

Tip: Some programs don’t require a minimum GPA but prioritize leadership, work experience, or community service—be sure to highlight these in your application!

What Corporate Scholarships Are Available for College Students?

Many large companies offer scholarships specifically for undergraduate students already enrolled in college. These scholarships may be industry-focused (such as tech or business) or based on background, academic standing, or involvement in student organizations.

Examples include:

• Adobe Women-in-Technology Scholarship: Offers up to $10,000 plus an internship opportunity. Open to female undergraduates studying computer science or related fields.
• Walmart Foundation Scholarships: Supports Walmart associates and their dependents. Includes both academic scholarships and emergency financial aid options.
• Intel Scholarship: Supports diverse students in computer science, electrical engineering, and data science. Award amounts vary, with additional access to internships and research opportunities.

Tip: If you’re majoring in a field aligned with a company’s industry, you’ll likely find scholarships that include mentorship, internships, or post-grad job pipelines.

What Are Some Big Company Scholarships for College Students?

Well-known global companies offer some of the most generous and competitive scholarships for students pursuing degrees in business, STEM, or media. These programs often emphasize academic performance, leadership, and diversity.

Examples of big-company scholarships:

• Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship: $40,000 + paid internship for students in computer science programs.
• Google Generation Scholarship: $10,000 for students from underrepresented backgrounds studying computer science or related fields.
• PepsiCo ExCEL Scholarship: Supports students with academic excellence and demonstrated leadership. Often tied to business or community programs like Enactus or NSBE.

Tip: These programs often include leadership development events, career coaching, and networking with company executives—making them valuable beyond just funding.

Do Companies Offer Scholarships to Employees?

Yes, many companies offer scholarships and tuition assistance to employees and their dependents as part of their benefits programs. These scholarships promote continuing education, retention, and support for employees’ families.

Examples of employee-based scholarships:

• Walmart Associate Scholarship: Offers education funding for employees and dependents. Includes access to Walmart’s Live Better U program for low-cost degrees and certifications.
• UPS Foundation Scholarship: Partners with the Teamsters and other organizations to offer scholarships to UPS employees and their children. Awards vary based on program and region.
• Intel Employee Dependent Scholarship: Provides financial support for children of Intel employees attending college in a STEM field.

Tip: Employees should check their internal HR portal or contact their benefits department to find out what’s available—and how to apply each academic year.