Burger King Scholarship 2026: Eligibility, Award Amount, Deadline, and How to Apply

Burger King Scholarship 2026/27 Abstract & Quick Facts

Scholarship Host: Burger King Foundation
Host Country: United States of America (USA)
Category: Undergraduate Scholarships || High School Scholarships
Benefits: Full Scholarship • $60,000 Award
Eligibility: Nigerian Students from Host Communities
Deadline: December 15, 2026

What Is the Burger King Scholarship 2026/27?

The Burger King Scholarship, officially known as the Burger King Scholars Program, is the flagship educational scholarship programme of the Burger King Foundation.

The programme was created in memory of Burger King co-founder James “Jim” W. McLamore and began in 2000. The Foundation says the programme has awarded approximately $60 million in scholarships to more than 51,000 students across North America since 2000.

The scholarship is intended to help students offset the cost of attending:

• Two-year colleges
• Four-year universities
• Postsecondary vocational or technical schools

The Foundation says scholarships currently range from $1,000 to $60,000.

The programme is broader than a traditional academic scholarship because the Foundation considers several aspects of a student’s background.

According to the Burger King Foundation, selection takes into consideration:

GPA, work experience, extracurricular activities, financial need and community service.

This means applicants should not build their application around grades alone.

How Much Is the Burger King Scholarship Worth?

The Burger King Scholars Program awards scholarships ranging from:

$1,000 to $60,000

The amount depends on the particular scholarship category and award being offered.

The Foundation describes the grants as financial assistance intended to offset the cost of attending college or postsecondary vocational/technical school.

Therefore, it is not accurate to describe every Burger King Scholar award as a $60,000 scholarship.

The $60,000 award is a special category

The James W. McLamore WHOPPER® Scholarship Award was created in 2011 by the McLamore family.

The Foundation says it awards three $60,000 scholarships each year through this special category.

James W. McLamore WHOPPER Scholarship Award

The Burger King Scholars Program includes an especially valuable award named after Burger King co-founder James W. McLamore.

The James W. McLamore WHOPPER Scholarship Award was introduced in 2011.

The Foundation states that it awards:

Three $60,000 scholarships each year

This is substantially larger than the minimum $1,000 Burger King scholarship award.

Past recipients have used the funding to pursue degrees at highly selective institutions.

For example, the Foundation’s published 2024 recipients included students attending Harvard University, Brown University and Columbia University.

The Foundation’s recipient profiles also demonstrate the variety of academic goals represented by the programme, including computer science, electrical engineering and other fields.

However, students should not assume that applying for the general Burger King Scholars Program automatically guarantees consideration for the $60,000 WHOPPER award. The Foundation treats it as a distinct scholarship category.

Burger King Scholarship for Employees and Their Families

The programme is not limited to graduating high school seniors.

The Burger King Foundation states that the Burger King Scholars Program also supports Burger King employees and their families.

This is important because Burger King team members may encounter scholarship information under the same general programme but with eligibility provisions that differ from the high school senior route.

The Foundation’s current programme page should therefore be used to determine which category applies to a particular applicant.

2026/27 Burger King Scholarship Requirements

To be considered for the 2026 Burger King Scholarship, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

The current Burger King Scholars Program serves two broad groups:

High school seniors and Burger King employees and their families.

For students applying as high school seniors, the programme is intended for applicants who are preparing to continue their education after high school.

The scholarship is available across North America, with the Foundation and Scholarship America identifying eligible applicants and institutions in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, subject to the programme’s current rules.

Because the detailed eligibility rules can be revised for each cycle, applicants should always review the official application instructions when the new application opens.

Burger King Scholarship GPA Requirement

One of the most searched questions about this scholarship is:

What GPA do I need for the Burger King Scholarship?

The currently published Scholarship America programme information states that applicants need a cumulative high school GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent.

This is an unusually accessible minimum compared with highly competitive academic scholarships that require a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

However, meeting the minimum GPA does not mean an applicant will automatically receive an award.

The Burger King Foundation says its selection process considers several factors, including:

• GPA
• Work experience
• Extracurricular activities
• Financial need
• Community service

Therefore, a student with a 2.5 GPA and strong community involvement, work experience and extracurricular participation may still have a meaningful application.

At the same time, a student should not interpret the 2.0 minimum as an indication that grades are unimportant.

The GPA is one component of a broader evaluation.

Where Can Burger King Scholars Study?

The Burger King Scholars Program can be used at eligible:

• Community colleges

• Four-year universities

• Vocational-technical schools

The scholarship is not limited to one university system or one academic discipline.

Scholarship America states that the grants help students attend accredited two-year or four-year colleges, universities, or vocational-technical schools.

This gives recipients considerable flexibility in selecting a postsecondary institution.

Students looking for additional U.S. opportunities can also explore Scholarships in the USA on Scholars World.

Burger King Scholarship Selection Criteria

The Burger King Scholarship is not a simple “highest GPA wins” competition.

The Foundation states that recipients are selected using multiple considerations.

• Academic achievement

Your GPA is part of the assessment.

• Work experience

Employment history can strengthen an application because work experience is one of the factors explicitly considered by the Foundation.

• Extracurricular activities

Participation beyond the classroom is part of the evaluation.

This might include school clubs, sports or other organised activities.

• Financial need

The Foundation also considers the applicant’s financial circumstances.

• Community service

Service and contribution to the community are another component of the selection process.

This combination makes the programme especially suitable for well-rounded students rather than applicants who rely exclusively on academic performance.

How to Apply for the Burger King Scholarship 2026/27

The step-by-step guide to apply for the Burger King Scholarships 2026/27 is as follows;

The official Burger King Foundation directs applicants to the Burger King Scholars application system administered through Scholarship America.

When the next application opens, the process should begin with the official scholarship portal:

Burger King Scholars application portal

• Step 1: Confirm your eligibility

Review the current requirements before beginning the application.

At minimum, check your:

• Grade level
• GPA
• Community involvement
• Enrollment plans
• Eligible institution

• Step 2: Create your application account

Use the official Burger King Scholars portal to begin your application.

• Step 3: Provide your personal and academic information

Complete the required sections accurately.

This information helps establish your eligibility and provides the background used during the selection process.

• Step 4: Describe your activities and experience

Because the Foundation evaluates extracurricular activities, work experience, and community involvement, applicants should be prepared to present these experiences clearly.

• Step 5: Review your application

Check every section carefully before submission.

Make sure your information is consistent and complete.

• Step 6: Submit early

The 2027–2028 application period is capped at 30,000 applications.

That means early submission is more important than simply remembering the December 15 date.

How to Improve Your Burger King Scholarship Application

• Do not focus exclusively on GPA

Your academic record matters, but the Foundation evaluates five major areas: GPA, work experience, extracurricular activity, financial need, and community service.

A strong application should therefore show a complete picture of who you are.

• Make community service concrete

Do not simply write that you “served the community.”

Explain what you did, how often you participated, and what the experience meant.

• Include work experience

Even modest employment can demonstrate responsibility, time management, and perseverance.

Because the Foundation explicitly considers work experience, do not leave legitimate experience out of your application.

• Highlight meaningful activities

You do not need a list containing twenty clubs.

A smaller number of sustained and meaningful activities can provide stronger evidence of commitment than a long list of superficial participation.

• Submit early

This point cannot be overstated for the upcoming cycle.

Applications close when 30,000 applications are reached or December 15 arrives, whichever happens first.

The December date is therefore a maximum closing date, not necessarily the date the portal will remain open until.

• Use the official portal

The Foundation directs applicants to burgerking.scholarsapply.org for eligibility information and applications.

Avoid third-party websites that ask for payment in exchange for access to the scholarship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Burger King Scholarship 2026 still open?

No. The Burger King Foundation states that the 2026 scholarship recipients will receive their checks by the last week of August 2026, indicating that the 2026 application cycle has concluded.

When does the Burger King Scholarship open again?

The 2027–2028 Burger King Scholars Program opens on October 15, 2026.

What is the Burger King Scholarship deadline?

For the 2027–2028 cycle, applications will be accepted until 30,000 applications are received or December 15, 2026, whichever comes first.

How much is the Burger King Scholarship worth?

Awards range from $1,000 to $60,000.

How many $60,000 Burger King Scholarships are awarded?

The Burger King Foundation says the James W. McLamore WHOPPER Scholarship Award provides three $60,000 awards each year.

What GPA do I need for the Burger King Scholarship?

Scholarship America's currently published programme information states a minimum 2.0 cumulative high school GPA on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. However, because that page contains information from an earlier cycle, applicants should verify the GPA requirement for the 2027–2028 application when the new portal opens.

Who is eligible for the Burger King Scholarship?

The programme supports high school seniors and Burger King employees and their families. Student applicants must satisfy the programme's academic, community involvement and enrollment requirements.

Does the Burger King Scholarship require community service?

Community involvement is part of the programme's eligibility/selection framework. Scholarship America identifies activities such as volunteering, sports, clubs, and religious organisations, while the Foundation explicitly considers community service in selection.

Can Burger King employees apply?

Yes. The Burger King Foundation explicitly states that the Burger King Scholars Program supports Burger King employees and their families in addition to high school seniors.

Can I use the Burger King Scholarship at a community college?

Yes. The programme supports students attending community or technical colleges as well as four-year universities, subject to the applicable eligibility rules.

What does the Burger King Scholarship cover?

The scholarship is intended to offset the cost of attending college or postsecondary vocational/technical school. The exact award amount depends on the scholarship category.

Is the Burger King Scholarship fully funded?

Not every Burger King scholarship is a full-cost scholarship. The programme offers awards ranging from $1,000 to $60,000, meaning the amount varies by recipient and scholarship category.

How do I apply for the Burger King Scholarship?

The Burger King Foundation directs applicants to burgerking.scholarsapply.org for eligibility information and the application.

Can international students apply?

The Burger King Scholars Program is intended for eligible students in North America, rather than a general worldwide international scholarship. The published eligibility information identifies specific U.S., Canadian, and Puerto Rican contexts.

Conclusion

The Burger King Scholarship 2026 is no longer accepting applications, but students who missed the current cycle do not have to wait long for another opportunity.

The Burger King Foundation has already announced that applications for the 2027–2028 Burger King Scholars Program will open on October 15, 2026. The application period will close once 30,000 applications have been received or on December 15, 2026, whichever occurs first.

The programme is worth watching because its awards range from $1,000 to $60,000, with the special James W. McLamore WHOPPER Scholarship providing three $60,000 awards each year.

More importantly, students should understand that the Burger King Scholarship is not simply a GPA competition. The Foundation considers GPA alongside work experience, extracurricular activities, financial need and community service.

For the upcoming cycle, the smartest approach is to prepare early: organise your academic information, document your community involvement and work experience, review your college plans, and be ready to apply as soon as the portal opens.

Students looking for additional U.S. opportunities can explore Scholarships for Americans, Undergraduate Scholarships and Scholarships in the USA on Scholars World. You can also browse the Scholars World scholarship directory for opportunities organised by country, study level and scholarship type.

Application Deadline: December 15, 2026

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