Students interested in the Chick-fil-A Community Scholars scholarship have until this Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to submit their applications. The program offers up to 13 awards of up to $25,000 each intended for higher education during the 2027-2028 academic year.
The deadline is at 3:00 p.m. Central Time (4:00 p.m. in Miami), according to the announcement managed by Scholarship America. Registration began on August 21, and when checking the official page on November 2, it was still listed as open.
This opportunity is aimed at students with academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need. It is not necessary to work at Chick-fil-A; in fact, its employees and certain family members are excluded from this scholarship program.
Who can apply for the Chick-fil-A scholarship?
According to the Community Scholars guidelines, applicants must meet, among others, the following conditions:
- To be at least 18 years old by July 15, 2027.
- Reside in the United States, Puerto Rico, or Canada both at the time of application and when the scholarship is awarded.
- Be in the final year of high school, pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies, and plan to enroll full-time in 2027-2028 at an eligible accredited educational institution, including technical and vocational training centers.
- To have an accumulated academic average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 (GPA) or its equivalent.
- Have participated in volunteer work, extracurricular activities, or leadership roles during the 12 months prior to the closing of the application.
- Demonstrate economic need and be willing to participate, if selected, in a mentoring and leadership development program.
Can Cubans with DACA or students without U.S. citizenship participate?
Yes, as long as all other requirements are met. Scholarship America specifies that it is not mandatory to have citizenship or permanent residency in the United States or Canada. The call specifically admits individuals covered by DACA and international students studying in the territories included in the program.
This may benefit Cuban students residing and studying in the United States, but it does not mean that anyone living outside of those territories can apply. The required residency, academic situation, and other criteria must also be met.
The Community Scholars program also does not accept employees of Chick-fil-A or spouses or dependents of employees or operators of the chain. For employees, there is a separate program called Remarkable Futures, with its own conditions and deadlines.
Necessary documents to submit the application
Candidates must prepare an electronic application and attach the academic and financial documentation specified by the administrator
- Complete and updated academic record, including the student's name, educational institution, grades, subjects, and credits, as applicable.
- The first two pages of the IRS 1040 tax form from the parents, or from the applicant themselves if they are not listed as a dependent. For those corresponding to the Canadian system, the T-1 form is accepted.
- At least one electronic recommendation, submitted by a person designated by the applicant. Up to three recommenders may be indicated.
Scholarship America asks to hide Social Security numbers and banking information in tax documentation before uploading it to the official platform. These sensitive documents should not be sent to accounts or websites not specified by the administrator.
The electronic recommendation may arrive within three business days following the closing of applications, according to the guidelines. This time frame pertains to the recommendation and does not extend the deadline of November 3 to submit the application.
What can the $25,000 be used for?
Funds can be allocated for tuition, fees, books, and other educational expenses at universities, higher education institutions, or accredited technical institutions. The company explains that the checks are issued in the name of the educational institution: they are not provided as cash to the student and cannot be applied to student loans or redeemed for cash.
The Scholarship America regulations establish a maximum of 13 awards and $25,000 per selected candidate. The allocation is not automatic: applications are evaluated based on academic results, activities, community service, recommendations, and financial situation. This is a one-time, non-renewable aid, although recipients can request that it be distributed over a period of one to six years. Those who have already received this scholarship cannot reapply.
The selected individuals will also take part in a year-long leadership and mentorship initiative. According to the calendar published by Chick-fil-A, notifications are expected in the spring of 2027 and payments will be made in July of that year.
How to apply for the scholarship before November 3
To begin the application process, interested parties must access the official Chick-fil-A Community Scholars page on Scholarship America and use the Apply button. The administrator recommends preparing the necessary documents and coordinating the recommendation as soon as possible, as applications submitted past the deadline will not be accepted.
You can also check the program details on the Chick-fil-A website. For questions regarding the requirements or the process, Scholarship America provides the email cfacommunityscholars@scholarshipamerica.org and the phone number 507-931-1682.
Deadline: Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in Miami (3:00 p.m. Central Time). The award of the scholarship is subject to a competitive selection and does not constitute a job offer.
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