Coolidge Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Coolidge Foundation
Introduction
Applicants for the 2025–26 Coolidge Scholarship must be current high school juniors (or the homeschooled equivalent) who plan to begin full-time undergraduate study at an accredited U.S. college or university for the first time in fall 2027. The following outlines the formal eligibility rules and answers common questions about who may apply.
Eligibility Criteria
- Academic timing: You must be a high school junior during the 2025–26 application cycle (or the homeschooled equivalent) and intend to enroll as a full-time undergraduate for the first time in fall 2027. Students who are juniors and also take courses at a local college remain eligible.
- U.S. status: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents by the 2025–26 scholarship deadline.
- Conflicts of interest: Applicants may not be an immediate family member of any current employee, trustee, or significant donor to the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation or the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Fund. A “significant donor” is someone whose lifetime giving exceeds $25,000.
Eligibility — Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I am not a U.S. citizen. Can I apply?
A: No. The scholarship is limited to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. However, U.S. citizens or permanent residents attending high school outside the U.S. are eligible.
Q: I’m a high school junior but I’m also enrolled in classes at a nearby college. Am I eligible?
A: Yes. Taking college courses while a high school junior does not disqualify you. You must still plan to begin full-time undergraduate study at an accredited U.S. institution for the first time in fall 2027.
Q: I plan to take a gap year after high school and start college after fall 2027. Can I apply?
A: No. For the 2025–26 scholarship, only students who intend to begin full-time undergraduate enrollment in fall 2027 are eligible. No exceptions are permitted.
Q: I will graduate high school early in spring 2026 rather than spring 2027. Am I eligible?
A: No. Applicants must be scheduled to graduate in spring 2027 and enroll in college in fall 2027.
Q: I’m currently a high school senior. Can I apply?
A: No. Only students who are high school juniors at the time of application are eligible. No exceptions.
Q: I’m a high school senior planning to take a gap year before college. May I apply?
A: No. The program accepts only current juniors; gap-year plans do not make a senior eligible.
Q: I’m a senior but would consider repeating my senior year if I won. Can I apply?
A: No. Applicants may not change their high school year or graduation date (for example, by repeating senior year) to become eligible.
Q: I skipped a grade earlier and am the age of a typical high school junior but am actually a senior. Am I eligible?
A: No. Eligibility is based on current high school year, not age. Only students who are presently high school juniors may apply. (Students who skipped a grade but are currently juniors remain eligible.)