California Freethought Speech Scholarship
Application Deadline: September 10th
California Freethought Day believes that secular rights, science, social justice, civic engagement, and the First Amendment should be celebrated, and wants to support students as they continue their education.
To be eligible, an applicant must:
Have an interest in free speech, science, and the separation of church and state
Be involved in, or leaders of, community organizations or school clubs
Attend a California high school (grades 9-12) as of September 16, of the current year
Plan to pursue postsecondary education at a community college, four-year college, trade school, or vocational school.
Pretend that you’ve been invited to speak in front of the United States Congress. Write a 300–500-word speech to convey your ideas on how we can protect our democracy from becoming a theocracy and unite our country against religious bigotry.
The Gates Scholarship
Application Deadline: September 15th
The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential.
Selected Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance to earn a bachelor’s degree, that is not already covered by other financial aid and the Student Aid Index, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the methodology used by a Scholar’s college or university. Costs covered include tuition, fees, books, and housing and food, and may include additional personal costs.
TGS also provides Scholars with various online support services designed to help them excel in their degree programs, graduate, and make a successful transition to their chosen careers. These include career services, mentoring, leadership development, wellness, and knowledge building.
To be eligible, an applicant must:
A high school senior
Pell-eligible
A US citizen or permanent resident
In a good academic standing with a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
Additionally, a student must plan to enroll full-time, in a four-year degree program, at a US accredited, not-for-profit, private or public college or university.
An ideal candidate will also have:
An outstanding academic record in high school (in the top 10% of his/her graduating class)
Demonstrated leadership ability (e.g., as shown through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities)
Exceptional personal success skills (e.g., emotional maturity, motivation, perseverance, etc.)
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
Application Deadline: September 30th
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.
To be eligible, an applicant must:
Currently enrolled high school/home-schooled students attending school in one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or select DoD schools who will graduate high school during the 2025-2026 academic school year (students graduating from an American or expat school abroad are not eligible for this award; individuals who have already graduated from high school are not eligible)
U.S. Citizens (not Temporary Residents), U.S. Nationals, U.S. Permanent Residents, Refugees, Asylees, Cuban-Haitian Entrants, OR Humanitarian Parolees - based on the guidelines utilized by U.S. Department of Education for Federal Financial Aid eligibility
Planning to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. college or university
Applicants may not be:
Children or grandchildren of current employees, officers, or owners of Coca-Cola bottling companies, The Coca-Cola Company, Company divisions or subsidiaries
Children or grandchildren of former employees, officers, or owners of Coca-Cola bottling companies, The Coca-Cola Company, Company divisions or subsidiaries who are currently receiving retirement benefits from those entities
Students attending school outside of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico (with the exception of students attending select DoD schools; students graduating from an American or expat school abroad are not eligible for this award, even if they meet the citizenship criteria above)
High school graduates (if you received a high school diploma prior to the 2025-2026 school year, you are not eligible)
Temporary Residents (if your permanent legal residence is outside the U.S., you are not eligible)
The Home Depot Foundation Path To Pro Scholarship
Application Deadline: September 30th
The Home Depot Foundation Path to Pro Scholarship applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Be a high school senior, high school graduate or have a GED equivalent.
Plan to enroll, or be enrolled, in an approved trade-related program at an accredited two-year school (technical/vocational school or college) in the United States.
Not be an employee or dependent of an employee of the The Home Depot. Employees of The Home Depot and their dependents are eligible to apply for a scholarship from The Homer Fund.
Programs of Study: Carpentry, Construction Management, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing or another building-related field.
Application Deadlines/Announcements
Last day of March, June, September and December.
Winners will be notified approximately 4-6 weeks after the application deadline.
Additional Items to Note
Applications remain eligible for selection until graduation or completion of your training program.