College Corner

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program: Due September 30, 2025

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program 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. 

Eligibility: 

• Current High School Senior

• U.S. Citizen

• Expecting to receive a high school diploma during current academic year 

• Planning to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. College or University 

• Able to verify a minimum overall B/3.0 GPA in high school coursework

Friends of Texas Public Schools Scholarship: Due October 12, 2025 

This scholarship is for graduating seniors who can use their voice and visual media (i.e., video) to share how their public school education has impacted them. This scholarship aims to highlight the “Great Things Happening in Texas Public Schools” from the student’s perspective. 

This year, Friends will award one scholarship. The student may be college-bound, joining the workforce, continuing education through trade schools or other forms of post-secondary training, or the military.

Those interested in applying for the scholarship must do the following:  

• Prepare a video/multimedia presentation, 2 minutes or less, regarding how your public-school education has impacted your life/career choice and prepared you to meet your future goals. *Please make sure we can hear the audio*     

• Request one letter from a teacher, guidance counselor, principal, vice-principal, or superintendent related to the student’s work in school (pdf preferred).

• Complete the application below. Include how the scholarship will be used for the student's future/help achieve my goals, including approval to use video/presentation, the link for presentation, upload the recommendation letter, and submit.

VFW Voices of Democracy Scholarship Competition: Due October 31, 2025

Voice of Democracy® audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.  Each year, more than 26,400 ninth through 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1.4 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. 

Those interested in applying for the scholarship must do the following: 

•  Create and Submit an audio essay to this year's theme: "How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?"

• Submit a completed 2025-2026 entry form

Must be submitted to our Local VFW Office. Find a location here.

Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship: Due November 12, 2025

Awards:

• The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the 2026 competition.

• Male and female students compete separately.

• Ranging from $1,000 per year to $7,500 per year, Most Valuable Student scholarships are for students pursuing a four-year degree, on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester hours), in a U.S. college or university. All scholarships are in the form of certificates of award conditional upon the full-time enrollment of the winner in an accredited U.S. college or university.

Eligibility:

• Current high school seniors, or the equivalent, who are citizens of the United States are eligible to apply.

• Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks.

• High school graduates are not eligible to apply.

• Applicants must be citizens of the United States on the date their applications are submitted; permanent legal resident status does not qualify.

US Rice Producers Association Scholarship: Due December 5, 2025

US Rice Producers Association is offering a $5,000 scholarship to one outstanding high school senior or current college student who is pursuing or plans to pursue a career in an agriculture-related field. 

In addition to the financial award, the selected student will also have the opportunity to serve as a 2025 USRPA Student Ambassador, with the expectation of participating in at least two USRPA-sponsored events throughout the year. These may include Field Days, policy events, conferences, and other industry-related activities.