Are there companies that offer scholarships for college? How can I apply?

I've heard that some companies provide scholarships for college students. Does anyone know which companies offer these scholarships and what the application process is like? Any tips would also be appreciated!

Yes, indeed, many companies offer scholarships for high school students entering college. Just to name a few:

1. Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation: This foundation provides 150 scholarships of $20,000 each to high school seniors. There's usually an online application form. Scholarships are awarded based on leadership, academic performance, and community involvement.

2. Burger King Scholars Program: This program is for high school seniors, employees, their spouses/domestic partners or children of employees. The scholarships range from $1,000 to $60,000. The application usually opens in October and the process is done through their website.

3. Dell Scholars Program: Dell Scholars offers a $20,000 scholarship to students who demonstrate grit, potential, and ambitious plans for college. The application requires information from the student's high school transcript, standardized testing, and financial aid forms.

4. Foot Locker Scholar Athletes: This program offers $20,000 scholarships to 20 high school seniors who are athletes. The application, available online, typically involves writing short essays.

5. McDonald's HACER National Scholarship: This program awards several scholarships between $5,000 to $100,000 to students with at least one parent of Hispanic heritage. The application process typically includes a personal statement, academic transcripts, and letters of recommendation.

The application process and deadlines can vary for each scholarship, so it's important to go to the individual websites for specific details about how to apply. In general, you'll need to prepare transcripts, letters of recommendation, and maybe even an essay or a short answer to a prompt.

As for tips in applying:

1. Start early: Finding and applying for scholarships can be time-consuming. The earlier you start, the less rushed you'll feel.

2. Organize: Keep a checklist or spreadsheet of scholarships you're interested in, their deadlines, and the materials you'll need to apply.

3. Tell a compelling story in your essays: Successful scholarship essays often tell a detailed, personal story. Make sure you have a clear message and that you answer the prompt fully.

4. Don't ignore the small ones: While it may seem incredibly exciting to apply for scholarships worth tens of thousands of dollars, don't overlook smaller scholarships. They might have less competition, and every bit helps to offset the cost of college.

5. Apply widely: The more scholarships you apply to, the better your chances of winning one. Apply to as many as you can manage, keeping in mind that each application must be high-quality!

Remember, applications usually open up in the fall, so keep an eye on the websites of these scholarships for their updates on upcoming application periods. Good luck!