subject: Applying For The Pepsi Scholarship: Details Here [print this page] If you are looking to beat tuition with scholarships, you might have heard of the Pepsi Scholarship program. It is actually called the Diamond Scholars Program, and it is administered through the Pepsico Foundation. Also, Scholarship America handles the management of the applications and awards for Pepsi.
Scholarship Requirements and Awards
Pepsi awards up to 50 scholarships of $2,500 each. The awards go to 10 students in 5 urban areas: Dallas, TX, San Jose-Hayward, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Detroit, MI, and Miami FL. You have to live in one of these areas to apply for the scholarship.
Luckily, you don't need a great GPA. You can win with a GPA between 2.5 and 3.5, which opens up the award to many more people. You have to show that you have financial need. To do this, you'll have to send in your parent's tax form 1040. While this might sound unusual, it isn't.
To qualify for a student loan, you have to submit the same information. I had to get my parent's forms as well. The only people that use them are the evaluating committee at Scholarship America.
You also have to submit a recommendation from your school, and an appraisal by another person. They will send in their forms separately for you, by the way.
This program only applies to undergraduates, sorry graduate students. But anyone with financial hardship who meets the requirements can apply. Go nuts!
Scholarship Essay Questions
The application includes some scholarship essays. You will have 250 words or so (one side of a sheet of paper, 12 point type double spaced) to answer essay questions. You can use these to really shine for the committee and show that you have a great future and will succeed at college and in life.
The Pepsi Foundation says that the essays will ask you questions about what goals you have for the future, and the importance of college.
Take some time to have someone review your spelling and grammar before you submit your essays. You'll write them on a separate piece of paper, type written (printed from a computer).
Other Quick Facts
You'll usually get the information on the Pepsi scholarship Diamond Scholars Program through local organizations. For example, the Dallas Urban League provides applications for their area.
Scholarship America will handle all of the applications, not Pepsi or the Pepsi Foundation. Pepsi can alter the program any time, though, and gets to decide if the program will be offered again next year.
Typically you can apply for the Pepsi Scholarship starting in February. The deadline normally falls around the first of April or a few days later.
The students who get a scholarship from this program can also apply for renewal - more money for college.
Not a bad program. If you live in an area mentioned above, you should definitely apply. You only need to fill out a few pieces of paper, and get a couple of letters of recommendation.
