By the Scholarship editorial desk · Last updated 25 June 2026 · Verified against official program sources · 4 min read
The Burger King scholarship, officially the BK Scholars program from the Burger King Foundation, is one of the more generous corporate awards because you do not have to be connected to Burger King to win it. It runs two tracks, one for any high school senior and one for BK employees and their families.
Core eligibility and award details
Most awards are $1,000, but the program spans a wide range up to $60,000. Up to three James W. McLamore WHOPPER Scholarships of $60,000 go to the strongest applicants, with additional employee awards from $5,000 to $15,000. The general track is open to any U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, or Canada high school senior, no Burger King connection required.
| Key detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Award | $1,000 to $60,000 |
| Top award | WHOPPER Scholarship, $60,000 (up to 3) |
| Administered by | Scholarship America |
| Tracks | General high school senior and employee-based |
| General GPA | About 2.5 (3.5 for the WHOPPER award) |
| Cap | Closes at 30,000 applications or the December deadline |
The BK Scholars program is the Burger King Foundation’s flagship, and it has awarded tens of millions of dollars to more than 50,000 students since 2000, working toward a goal of one scholarship per restaurant. Most awards are $1,000, with up to three James W. McLamore WHOPPER Scholarships of $60,000 and a range of employee awards from $5,000 to $15,000. Scholarship America administers the whole program.
Deadlines and timeline
The cycle typically opens around 15 October and closes around 15 December, but it also closes early if 30,000 applications arrive first, so apply early. As of mid-2026 the 2026-2027 cycle has closed; the next round for 2027-2028 should open around mid-October 2026. Recipients are usually notified the following spring.
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Application opens | Around 15 October |
| Application closes | Around 15 December or at 30,000 apps |
| Recipients notified | Following spring (around April) |
| Next cycle | Opens around mid-October |
How to apply, step by step
- Decide your track: general high school senior, or employee-based if you work at BK or are family of an employee.
- Confirm you meet the GPA rule (about 2.5 general, 3.5 for the WHOPPER award) and enrolment plans.
- Create a login on the BK Scholars portal at burgerking.scholarsapply.org.
- Complete the application with academic, activity, work, and financial-need details, plus a personal statement.
- Submit early, before the December deadline or the 30,000-application cap.
Required documents
- BK Scholars portal account
- Transcript or GPA details
- Personal statement
- Letter of recommendation from a manager or franchisee (employee track, if requested)
Selection criteria and renewal conditions
Scholarship America reviews applications on GPA, work experience, extracurricular activities, community service, and financial need. The WHOPPER award additionally looks for leadership, substantial work experience, and a 3.5 GPA. Because the application cap can close the cycle early, applying near the open date matters more here than for most scholarships.
The application caps at 30,000 submissions and can close before the December deadline, so applying near the mid-October open date matters more here than for most awards. For the general track you need no Burger King connection at all; for the WHOPPER award, aim for a 3.5 GPA plus demonstrable leadership and substantial work experience.
Official source and application link
Always apply through the official source below and confirm current-cycle dates there before you submit.
Apply on the BK Scholars portal
Supporting trust and usability notes
With Scholarship America administering it and no requirement to be a BK customer or employee for the general track, this is a credible, accessible award. It sits alongside other brand-funded scholarships such as the Coca-Cola First Generation scholarship, the Tylenol Future Care scholarship, and the Equitable Excellence scholarship.
