Introduction: Scholarships With Real-World Impact
In a world where college costs continue to rise and student debt burdens more young Americans each year, scholarships are more than just financial awards—they’re lifelines. One of the most accessible and impactful opportunities available to U.S. students is the Burger King Scholars Program. Backed by the Burger King Foundation, this initiative has helped thousands of students afford college and vocational education—without getting burned by student loans.
Set to reopen in October 2025, the Burger King Scholars Program offers high school seniors, Burger King employees, and their families the chance to receive up to $60,000 in scholarship funds. Whether you’re headed to a four-year university, community college, or trade school, this scholarship can help fuel your journey.
This in-depth guide breaks down everything you need to know: eligibility requirements, what documents to prepare, how to apply, tips to boost your chances, and more. If you’re ready to take your future off the back burner, keep reading.
What Is the Burger King Scholars Program?
Launched in 2000, the Burger King Scholars Program was created by James “Jim” W. McLamore, co-founder of Burger King, with the goal of making higher education more accessible to hardworking students and employees. Since its inception, the program has awarded over $55 million in scholarships to more than 45,000 students across North America.
Administered by Scholarship America, the program offers a range of awards depending on eligibility, merit, and financial need. What makes it unique is its focus on both academic excellence and real-world leadership—values that align with the Burger King brand and mission.
When Does the 2025 Application Open?
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Opening Date: October 15, 2025
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Deadline to Apply: December 15, 2025 (subject to change; verify closer to the date)
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Notification of Awards: Spring 2026
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Award Disbursement: Fall 2026, applied to tuition, fees, and eligible educational expenses
Types of Scholarships Offered
The Burger King Foundation offers several different tiers of awards:
🍔 1. General Track (High School Seniors)
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Award: $1,000 – $2,500
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Open to all high school seniors in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.
🍟 2. Employee-Based Track
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Award: $1,000 – $3,000
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For employees of Burger King, their spouses/domestic partners, or dependent children.
🔥 3. James W. McLamore WHOPPER® Scholarship
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Award: $50,000 – $60,000
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Reserved for the most outstanding applicants in terms of academic achievement, community service, leadership, and financial need.
Only a select few are chosen for this prestigious tier each year.
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
The Burger King Scholars Program is inclusive and accessible—but you’ll still need to meet a few baseline qualifications.
✅ General Requirements:
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Be a high school senior (graduating in 2026)
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Plan to enroll in an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school
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Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher (unweighted)
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Be a resident of the U.S., Canada, or Puerto Rico
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Demonstrate community involvement, work experience, or leadership roles
✅ Employee-Based Track:
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Must be a Burger King employee (minimum 6 months as of application date) or the spouse/domestic partner/dependent child of one
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GPA requirement still applies
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Additional consideration is given to employees who are working while in school
✅ For WHOPPER Scholarship Consideration:
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Must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher
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Show significant financial need
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Demonstrate a strong record of leadership and community service
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Have a minimum ACT score of 25 or SAT score of 1220
What You’ll Need to Apply
Before you dive into the application, make sure you have all your documents and information ready.
📄 1. Personal Information
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Full name, contact details, and address
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Date of birth and citizenship status
🎓 2. Academic Information
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Cumulative high school GPA
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School name and expected graduation date
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Intended college or vocational program
🏆 3. Work and Community Involvement
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Job history, especially if employed at Burger King
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Volunteer hours and organization names
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Leadership roles and extracurricular activities
✍️ 4. Essay or Short Answer Questions
Some tiers may require a personal essay (especially for WHOPPER scholarships) where you’ll share:
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Your educational and career goals
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Challenges you’ve overcome
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Why you believe you deserve the scholarship
📑 5. Financial Documentation (for higher-tier scholarships)
You may need:
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FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR)
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Household income information
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
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Visit the Official Site
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Head to bk-scholars.com once the application window opens.
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Create an Account
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Sign up through the Scholarship America portal.
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Fill Out Your Profile
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Enter all personal, academic, and employment info.
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Upload Documents
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Resume, transcripts, financial forms, etc.
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Answer Essay Questions
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Write clearly, proofread, and be authentic.
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Review & Submit
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Double-check your work, especially deadlines and attachments.
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Pro Tips to Boost Your Chances
💡 Apply Early
Don’t wait until the last day—early applicants get more visibility, and you’ll have time to fix any issues.
💡 Be Specific and Personal
When answering questions or writing essays, share real stories that highlight your character, perseverance, and future goals.
💡 Emphasize Work Ethic
Even if you haven’t worked at Burger King, highlighting part-time jobs, babysitting, or volunteering shows responsibility and drive.
💡 Ask for Help
Let a teacher, mentor, or parent review your application for grammar errors, tone, and clarity.
💡 Stay Organized
Keep a Google Drive or folder with all your application materials—this will help if you’re applying to other scholarships too.
Why the Burger King Scholars Program Stands Out
While there are thousands of scholarships out there, what sets this one apart is its real-world accessibility. You don’t need to be valedictorian or have a perfect SAT score to qualify. Instead, Burger King’s program rewards hardworking students who show promise, character, and dedication—in school, at work, or in their community.
Even better, the application is relatively straightforward compared to many other competitive scholarships. It’s a perfect entry point for students applying for aid for the first time.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Miss This Flame-Grilled Opportunity
The Burger King Scholars Program 2025 is more than just financial aid—it’s recognition of the hustle, heart, and determination students bring to their futures every day. Whether you’re flipping burgers, leading a student council, or juggling school and part-time work, this scholarship is designed to help people like you succeed.
With awards ranging from $1,000 to $60,000, the impact can be life-changing. But you won’t get a bite of the burger if you don’t apply.
Applications open in October 2025, so now is the time to prepare, organize, and craft a compelling application that tells your story.
✅ Quick Checklist:
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Meet GPA and eligibility criteria
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Gather academic transcripts
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List work and volunteer history
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Prepare a résumé or brag sheet
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Draft essay responses (where applicable)
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Collect financial documents (for WHOPPER tier)
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Submit application before December 15, 2025
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