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Helps KFC restaurant employees pursue their dreams of going to college.

Pursue your dream of going to college

Scholarships for College & Trade School

Apply for up to $20,000 in scholarships to attend the two- or four-year college, trade school or graduate school of your choice. You can re-apply and potentially win a scholarship year after year.

  • $20,000 scholarships: 11 available; for four-year colleges or graduate schools
  • $5,000 scholarships: Hundreds available; for four-year colleges or graduate schools
  • $2,500 scholarships: Hundreds available; for two-year colleges or trade/vocational schools

Scholarship recipients also have access to a mentorship program, where they are thoughtfully paired with a mentor based on their major or interests, to help support them as they navigate college, career choices and more.

The 2023 KFC Foundation Scholarship application is closed.

The next scholarship application will open Feb. 2024.

Eligibility requirements

  • I’ve graduated from high school, earned my high school equivalency/GED, or will graduate from high school in May 2023
  • I’m enrolling in an accredited trade school, college or graduate school for the Fall 2023 semester
  • If applying for the $5,000 or $2,500 scholarship: I have a minimum 2.5 GPA
  • If applying for the $20,000 scholarship: I have a minimum 3.5 GPA
  • I’m a restaurant general manager, assistant manager, shift supervisor or team member in good standing at a KFC restaurant participating in the KFC Foundation’s Franchise Donation Program

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

How does it work?

  1. Complete the 2023 scholarship application between Feb. 1-28
  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. Scholarship winners are notified on April 24
  5. Winners must complete grant acceptance form by May 9 for their scholarship check to be mailed. If the grant acceptance form is not completed by the deadline, the scholarship will be forfeited
  6. Checks are mailed to the institution listed on the grant acceptance form mid-June

“As a first-generation college student who is paying out of pocket, it is such a blessing to have won a KFC Foundation Scholarship. When my manager told me, I broke out into tears. Winning the KFCF Scholarship really allowed me to follow the path to my future as an interpreter. Knowing that I work for an organization that offers this amazing opportunity means the world to me.” – Emma, KFC team member

Janet L. Kuhn Scholarship

Janet Kuhn, KFC Director of Training Execution, passed away suddenly in December 2016. In response to her passing, a memorial scholarship fund with the KFC Foundation was created by two generous KFC franchisees and KFC Corporation (KFCC).

Janet’s 27-year career with the KFC brand began as a restaurant general manager. She worked her way up through the ranks, reaching leadership positions with KFCC in Operations, Restaurant Excellence, and Training. Throughout her career, Janet remained passionate about helping restaurant teams. She served on the KFC Foundation Board of Directors for 8 years, helping guide the mission toward providing assistance to the people who run KFC restaurants every day. She cared deeply about restaurant employees, her co-workers, and KFC’s customers. She was always willing to go out of her way to help someone.

The Janet L. Kuhn Scholarship provides an opportunity for one KFC Foundation Scholarship recipient per year to DOUBLE their grant money. That means the Janet L. Kuhn Scholarship winner would receive between $5,000 to $10,000 total, including their scholarship! To be considered for this award, applicants must complete an additional essay during the KFC Foundation Scholarship application process.

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!

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.