Making College Possible
Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship℠
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida), your local Coca-Cola bottler, is committed to strengthening the communities we serve. In August 2023, the company introduced the Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship, a new 10-year, $2.8 million student scholarship commitment made possible through a dollar-for-dollar match with the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.
The Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship℠ will cover tuition and most local fees for economically disadvantaged students pursuing higher education at a Florida public four-year university, two-year college, or technical/vocational school. This commitment expands Coke Florida's programming under its Education community pillar.
Scholarship Program Announcement
About the Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship
Coke Florida believes every student deserves equitable access and opportunity to education and, since our inception in 2015, has provided tools and resources where they are needed most in the communities where we live, work, and play. Established in 2023, the Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship℠ is a Florida Prepaid College Plan (covering tuition and most local fees) funded by Coke Florida with funds matched by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation’s Path to Prosperity Program. This scholarship opportunity is available for eligible Florida students who will attend a Florida public university, college, or technical/vocational school after high school.
Scholarship Eligibility
The Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship is a partnership with the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and its Path to Prosperity Program. To apply, students must meet all the Path to Prosperity Program eligibility criteria set by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation:
-
Reside in a Path to Prosperity Program priority zip code*
-
Become a member or be an existing member in good standing with one of the identified community partners: Boys & Girls Clubs Florida Alliance, Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida**
-
Be a resident of the State of Florida, have a valid Social Security Number, have not completed the 12th grade and is under the age of 21
-
Remain Drug and Crime-free
In addition to meeting Path to Prosperity Program criteria, the Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship application process will require students to:
-
Currently be a high school senior residing in a Path to Prosperity priority zip code within the Coke Florida service area
-
Submit a typed essay not to exceed 250 words
-
Provide a letter of reference from a teacher, school official, or community member (i.e. volunteer organization, clergy member, etc.)
-
Provide an acceptance letter to a Florida public university, college, technical or vocational school. Students meeting all other eligibility but awaiting acceptance to a qualified Florida institution may also apply. After the application process closes, students will be given a grace period to submit the required documentation. An application will be considered complete upon submission of an acceptance letter to any Florida public post-secondary institution prior to the closing of the selection period.
*Priority zip codes are determined by the Florida Chamber Foundation and the Florida Prepaid College Foundation's Path to Prosperity Program. As a corporate donor under the Path to Prosperity Program, the Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship is open to students who reside in one of the priority zip codes that is also in the Coke Florida service area.
**Coke Florida and the Florida Prepaid College Foundation have elected to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida and the Florida Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs to deliver the scholarship program. The organizations offer enrichment and support programs to their members and alumni and will assist students with the Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship application process.
Application Information
The application period opens October 1, 2023. Eligible students will apply through one of our community partners. Check back for additional information.
Scholarship Timeline
October 1, 2023: Application Opens
January 31, 2024: Application Closes
Spring 2024: Application Review & Selection
Summer 2024: Awards Ceremony
Your Local Coca-Cola Bottler
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida) is a family-owned business that serves 21 million consumers across 47 Florida counties and includes the major metropolitan markets of Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa. The company manufactures, sells, distributes, warehouses, and merchandises over 600 products of The Coca-Cola Company and other partner companies. Coke Florida is the sixth largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States, a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), one of the largest Black-owned businesses in the United States, and one of the largest minority-owned businesses in Florida. In 2023, the company was named a US Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal for a second consecutive year. Coke Florida was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.
Partner
Community Partners
