Blog

Burger King Scholarship: Eligibility Criteria, Application Process, Deadline, and Funding Details

July 10, 2026
No Comments
GWC

Quick Answer: What Is the Burger King Scholarship?

The Burger King Scholarship, run through the BK Scholars Program and funded by the Burger King Foundation, awards $1,000 to $60,000 to high school seniors, Burger King employees, and their family members. Applicants apply online based on GPA, work experience, extracurricular activities, and community service.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the Burger King Scholarship:

Understanding BK Scholarship Program

College costs keep climbing, and for many students, scholarships are the difference between attending their first-choice school and settling for less. That’s where corporate scholarships like the Burger King education funding come in.

Since 2000, the Burger King Foundation has awarded scholarship funding to high school seniors, its employees, and their families through the BK Scholars Program. Since then, the program has distributed nearly $64 million to more than 54,000 students across North America, an average of roughly $7 million a year.

What Is the Burger King Scholarship?

The Burger King Scholars Program is the Burger King Foundation’s flagship initiative, created to honor its co-founder James W. “Jim” McLamore, whose lifelong commitment to education and philanthropy inspired the program. The scholarship program supports students working toward a two- or four-year degree, or a vocational or technical credential, and awards range from $1,000 general education fundings to the $60,000 James W. McLamore WHOPPER® Scholarship.

The Burger King Foundation is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and the scholarship program itself is administered by Scholarship America, the nation’s largest scholarship management organization.

Key Takeaway: This isn’t a one-time gimmick, it’s a two-decade-old, professionally administered scholarship program with a track record of consistent annual funding.

Who Offers the Burger King Educational Award?

The Burger King Foundation funds the education funding program, with support from participating franchisees whose annual fundraising determines how much money is available each cycle. Scholarship America, a third-party nonprofit that manages education-support programs for corporations and foundations nationwide, handles applications and selects recipients on the Foundation’s behalf.

Burger King Scholar Award Amount

Verified award amounts, based on official program documentation, include:

Award	Award	Number Available
James W. McLamore WHOPPER® Scholarship	$60,000	Up to 3
Nancy McLamore Scholarship	$20,000	1
King Awards (one per region)	$15,000	Up to 7
Regional Awards	$5,000	Up to 15
General & franchisee-sponsored awards	Typically $1,000	Varies by funding

Award amounts can shift year to year depending on franchisee fundraising, so always verify the latest scholarship amount on the official Foundation website before applying.

Scholarship Benefits: What the Award Covers

Student award funds are intended to offset tuition, books, and other education-related costs at accredited two- or four-year colleges, universities, or vocational-technical schools. Most awards are one-time, non-renewable payments, checks are mailed once per year, in August, made payable to the recipient’s school.

Recipients pursuing a traditional degree can generally use funds toward tuition and college expenses, while employees or spouses enrolled in enrichment courses can request funds based on their program’s timing. Awards are generally not taxable when used for qualifying educational expenses, though recipients should confirm their own situation with a tax advisor.

Eligibility Requirements

The Burger King Merit Award uses two main eligibility tracks:

General Track (high school seniors and past recipients):

Employee-Based Track (employees, spouses/domestic partners, and dependent children):

Eligibility Checklist

Who Is NOT Eligible?

Based on official program rules, applicants generally do not qualify if they

Because exclusions can be updated annually, confirm current eligibility criteria on the official application portal.

Required Documents

Applicants should be prepared to gather:

Document requirements can vary by award category and by year, so review the current application checklist on the official site before you begin.

How to Apply for the Burger King Scholarship

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Check eligibility against the General or Employee-Based Track requirements. Use grant research to identify suitable funding opportunities and understand the application process.

Step 2: Create Account

Create a student account on the official application portal and complete your profile.

Step 3: Gather Documents

Gather documents including transcript, financial information, and work/activity history.

Step 4: Complete Online Application

Submit the online application form after filling in all mandatory sections.

Step 5: Review Before Submitting

Review carefully before submitting. Once submitted, no revisions are allowed.

Step 6: Submit Application

Submit before the deadline or before the application cap is reached, whichever comes first. Use submission support services to finalize your application and submit with confidence before the deadline.

Step 7: Check Email Regularly

Monitor your email for confirmation and, later, your selection notification.

How Professional Grant & Scholarship Writing Services Can Help

Between transcripts, financial documents, and activity summaries, a strong student award application takes real time to assemble well. A professional grant and scholarship writing partner can help by:

This kind of support reduces avoidable mistakes and helps applicants present their strongest case.

Burger King Student Award Deadline

Application windows have historically opened in mid-October and closed in mid-December, with submissions capped once a set number of applications is reached. As of this writing, the official Scholarship America listing shows that the details for the upcoming cycle are tentative. Always verify the latest application deadline on the official Foundation website before applying.

Scholarship Selection Process

Recipients are chosen through a competitive review process. For most General Track and Employee-Based Track postsecondary applicants, evaluators weigh three factors roughly equally:

Special-named awards, like the McLamore WHOPPER Scholarship, apply additional criteria such as a higher minimum GPA and demonstrated leadership. Not every applicant is selected, and Scholarship America notifies all applicants by email.

Tips to Improve Your Chances

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Understanding why applications fail is as valuable as knowing what makes them succeed:

Avoiding these common application mistakes can improve your chances of success. For more insights on improving your grant applications, check out our guide on Top Grant Writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them.

Burger King Student Grant vs. Other Corporate Scholarships

Sponsor	Eligibility	Award Range	Application Window	Verify Official Site
Burger King Scholars Program	HS seniors, employees, families	$1,000–$60,000	Typically Oct–Dec	Yes
Coca-Cola Scholars Program	HS seniors nationwide	$20,000	Typically Aug–Sept	Yes
McDonald's HACER Student Award	Hispanic heritage students	Varies	Typically fall–winter	Yes
Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship	Ages 16–24, any path	$5,000 to $25,000	Rolling/quarterly	Yes
Horatio Alger Student Award	Students facing adversity	Varies	Typically Dec–March	Yes

Award ranges and windows shift each year for every program listed, so confirm current details directly with each sponsor.

Corporate scholarships are just one type of financial support available to students. Explore our guide on Types of Grants Available in the US to learn about other funding opportunities that may help cover education costs.

Conclusion

The Burger King Scholarship remains one of the more accessible corporate student award programs available, supporting high school seniors, employees, and their families with awards from $1,000 to $60,000. Because eligibility rules, deadlines, and award amounts can change every cycle, treat the official Burger King Foundation and Scholarship America pages as your source of truth.

Need Help Finding Scholarships or Preparing a Winning Application?

Our team helps students and families identify funding opportunities, prepare competitive scholarship applications, and strengthen essays and supporting documents. Services include scholarship research, application assistance, essay review, and submission readiness support.

Contact the grant expert team today for professional scholarship and grant guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Burger King Scholarship?

It’s a scholarship program funded by the Burger King Foundation and administered by Scholarship America, offering $1,000–$60,000 to eligible students and BK employees.

Who is eligible to apply?

High school seniors, current undergraduates who are past recipients, its employees, and their spouses or dependent children, subject to GPA and residency requirements.

How much is the education funding worth?

Awards range from $1,000 to $60,000 depending on the specific award category.

Can children of Burger King employees apply?

Yes, dependent children of eligible employees may apply under the Employee-Based Track.

What GPA is required?

A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is the general minimum; some special-named awards require a higher GPA.

When is the application deadline?

Deadlines have historically run mid-October through mid-December. Always confirm the current deadline on the official Burger King Foundation website.

Is an essay required?

Requirements vary by award and year, verify current application requirements on the official portal.

What documents are needed?

A current transcript, financial information, and (for certain awards) a letter of recommendation are typically required.

Is financial need considered?

Yes, financial need is one of the core factors used in the selection process for most award categories.

Can college students apply?

Yes, past recipients who are current undergraduates may reapply, and employees may apply while enrolled part-time or full-time.

Note: This guide is for informational purposes only. Grant details, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and funding availability may change at any time. Always verify the most current program information through official sources before making any business or funding decisions.

Need Help?

Contact our grant writing experts today to get your right Professional Grant Writer

Signup our newsletter to get update information, news or insight.