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Scholarships for College, Trade School & Graduate School

Pursue your dreams of higher education

KFC Foundation Scholarship

Apply for up to $20,000 in scholarships to attend the two- or four-year college, trade school or graduate school of your choice for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The next scholarship application window:
Jan. 10 – Feb. 17, 2025

Award Amounts

2,500

5,000

10,000

20,000

Eligibility requirements

  • I’ve graduated from high school, earned my high school equivalency/GED, or will graduate from high school in May 2025
  • I’m enrolling in an accredited trade school, college or graduate school for the Fall 2025 semester
  • If applying for the $5,000 or $2,500 scholarship: I have a minimum 2.5 GPA
  • If applying for the $10,000 or $20,000 scholarship: I have a minimum 3.5 GPA
  • I’m an employee at a KFC restaurant participating in the KFC Foundation’s Annual Donation Program

Note: This is a competitive program, meaning not every employee who applies will receive a scholarship.

How It Works

  1. Complete the scholarship application by the deadline.
  2. Your application is reviewed to ensure its complete and meets minimum eligibility requirements.
  3. Your essay is reviewed and scored by a panel of judges; Scholarship winners are selected based on their essay score.
  4. Applicants will be notified of their results via email.
  5. Winners must complete the scholarship acceptance form. If the acceptance form is not completed by the deadline, the scholarship will be forfeited.

Janet L. Kuhn Scholarship

The Janet L. Kuhn Scholarship provides an opportunity for one KFC Foundation Scholarship recipient per year to DOUBLE their award amount.* To be considered for this award, applicants must complete an additional essay during the KFC Foundation Scholarship application process.

*Recipients of the $10,000 and 20,000 scholarship are ineligible for the Janet L. Kuhn Scholarship

The GED Graduate Scholarship Guarantee

Those who earn their GED through the KFC Foundation, apply for a scholarship, follow all instructions and meet all minimum eligibility requirements will receive either a $2,500 or $5,000 scholarship to further their education!

Congratulations to our 2024 Scholarship winners!

”When I decided to pursue college, I knew it was my responsibility to come up with the funds. This is where my gratitude for KFC and the KFC Foundation comes in. I have a family-oriented team that accommodates my school schedule and the $20,000 scholarship has relieved me of stress, allowing me to focus on school.

- ValerieKFC shift supervisor / Future Educator

The KFC Foundation has partnered with Crisis Text Line® to provide free 24/7 text-based mental health support and crisis intervention for the KFC family.

Need someone to talk to?
Text "Fries" to 741741 to text confidentially with a compassionate, trained Crisis Counselor.

To be eligible for the KFC Foundation’s programs, you must work at a KFC restaurant in the U.S. that participates in the KFC Foundation’s Franchise Donation Program.