In today’s competitive world, pursuing higher education often comes with a significant financial burden for students.
According to some studies by Ross, Niebling, and Heckert (1999), over 70% of students had a financial burden. And this is caused by increases in credit card debt, the cost of student living expenses, and many more factors.
However, thanks to organizations like KFC and their commitment to empowering students, aspiring scholars can now access the KFC Scholars Program, also known as the KFC Scholarship.
The KFC Scholars program provides financial assistance to high school seniors pursuing higher education at public colleges or universities.
With the potential to receive up to $20,000, the KFC Scholars Program opens doors to countless possibilities and supports students in achieving their academic goals.
Hence, in this blog post, we’ll discuss all you need to know about the KFC scholarship, its requirements, and its application process.
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What You Should Know About The KFC Scholars Program
The KFC Scholars Program was established in 2006 to alleviate the financial strain on deserving students, enabling them to pursue their dreams of higher education.
Since its establishment, the KFC Scholars program has helped over a million students with over $10 million in scholarship aid.
The KFC scholarship is offered through the Kentucky Fried Chicken Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports and empowers restaurant employees.
The KFC scholarship is a renewable scholarship that offers winners a total award of $20,000, distributed as $5,000 per year for each of the four years of college.
KFC Scholarship Requirements
To be eligible for the KFC Scholars Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- First and foremost, one of the most important requirements that makes you eligible for the KFC scholarship is that you must be one of the KFC restaurant employees in the U.S. who’s also a member of the KFC Foundation’s Franchise Donation Program.
- You must be a graduating high school senior. The KFC scholarship is only open to high school seniors who are planning to enroll in their state’s public colleges or universities.
- You must have earned your high school equivalency, or, let me say, GED.
- You must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.50 on a scale of 4.0 if you are applying for the $5,000 or $2,500 scholarship, but if you are going for the $20,000 scholarship, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and demonstrate financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- To maintain eligibility, you must carry at least 12 credit hours per semester, achieve a GPA of 2.50 or higher, and work a minimum of 10 hours per week, either full-time or part-time, starting in the second year of funding.
While the scholarship sounds promising, you need to know that it’s more of a competitive program, which means that there are thousands of KFC employees applying for the scholarship each year; therefore, it’s not always guaranteed for one who applies to receive the scholarship.
How to Apply for the KFC Scholarship
The application process for the KFC Scholars Program is straightforward. Applicants need to complete the scholarship application, which is available at https://aim.applyISTS.net/KFCREACH.
The application period is between February 1st and February 28th each year. Once submitted, each application undergoes a review process to ensure its completeness and adherence to the minimum eligibility requirements.
To apply for the KFC scholarship, please follow the steps outlined below:
- Firstly, visit https://aim.applyISTS.net/KFCREACH (program key KFCREACH)
- Then, create an AIM account using your personal email address and strong password on the sign-up page.
- After following the previous step, you will have to log in to the account you just created which will redirect you to a new page titled the KFC Foundation’s REACH Educational Grant application.
- On the page, you will see some fields which require you to upload some of your documents like your high school transcript, GED certificate, etc.
- Once you have finished uploading your important documents and keying in the required details, press the submit button to save and complete the application process.
KFC Scholarship Award Categories
The KFC Scholars Program offers three different award categories based on the level and type of education pursued:
- $20,000 Scholarships: This category provides 11 scholarships for students attending four-year colleges or graduate schools.
- $5,000 Scholarships: With hundreds of scholarships available, this category supports students pursuing four-year colleges or graduate schools.
- $2,500 Scholarships: Also offering hundreds of scholarships, this category is designed for students attending two-year colleges or trade/vocational schools.
KFC Mentorship Program
In addition to the financial support, KFC Scholars Program recipients also gain access to a valuable mentorship program. Through this program, scholars are paired with mentors who share their majors or interests.
These mentors are there to provide guidance, support, and insights as students navigate their academic journeys, make career choices, and face the challenges of college life. The mentorship program ensures a holistic approach to students’ growth and success.
KFC Scholarship Application Deadline
The KFC scholarship program opens every year and ends in mid-February. And as a competitive scholarship program, it’s important for you to always watch out whenever the opportunity is open.
After the application deadline, starting in mid-March, the KFC Scholars Program Panel will start notifying the winners of the scholarship.
For more information concerning the KFC scholarship program, you can call or send an email to:
E-mail: KFCReach@applyISTS.com
Customer Care: 855-670-ISTS (4787)
Date and Time: Monday-Friday/8 am-5 pm (CST)
Conclusion
The KFC Scholars Program stands as a shining example of KFC’s commitment to fostering education and empowering aspiring scholars.
By providing substantial financial assistance, mentorship opportunities, and fostering a sense of community, the program helps students overcome financial barriers and pursue their dreams of higher education.
With various award categories and renewable scholarships, the KFC Scholars Program plays an important role in shaping the lives of ambitious individuals, enabling them to reach their full potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is eligible to apply for the KFC Scholars Program?
The KFC Scholars Program is open to high school seniors who are graduating and planning to enroll in a public college or university. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 and demonstrate financial need through the completion of the FAFSA.
2. How much financial assistance does the KFC Scholars Program provide?
The KFC Scholars Program offers renewable scholarships of up to $20,000. Winners receive $5,000 per year for each of the four years of college, totaling $20,000 in financial assistance.
3. Are there any requirements to maintain eligibility for the scholarship?
Yes, recipients of the KFC Scholars Program must meet certain requirements to maintain their eligibility. They must carry at least 12 credit hours per semester, maintain a GPA of 2.75 or higher, and work a minimum of 10 hours per week starting from the second year of funding.
4. How can I apply for the KFC Scholars Program?
To apply for the KFC Scholars Program, you need to complete the scholarship application, which is available at https://aim.applyISTS.net/KFCREACH. The application period is typically open between February 1st and February 28th each year.
5. What is the mentorship program offered by the KFC Scholars Program?
As part of the KFC Scholars Program, recipients have access to a mentorship program. They are intentionally paired with mentors who have similar majors or interests.