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The application program will be available again in early 2022. Please return then to view the updated Eligibility and Awards for the 2022-2023 academic year! If you are an applicant who would like to discover more scholarship opportunities you might qualify for, please continue to the Scholarship America Hub and sign up!

 

The PepsiCo Foundation S.M.I.L.E. Scholarship
Application status: Closed

The PepsiCo Foundation S.M.I.L.E. (Success Matters in Life & Education) Scholarship is designed to help students transition from designated partner community colleges to four-year colleges and universities.

This program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarship, tuition assistance and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Awards are granted without regard to creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, disability, or national origin.

Applicants to The PepsiCo Foundation S.M.I.L.E. Scholarship must:

  • Identify as Black or African American or Hispanic or Latino
  • Be a current college undergraduate attending one of the following colleges:
    • Westchester Community College in New York
    • Dallas College in Texas
    • City Colleges of Chicago in Illinois
  • Must have completed 45 credit hours by January 2021
  • Plan to enroll in fulltime undergraduate study at an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S. for the entire upcoming academic year
  • Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent)

PepsiCo employees and children of PepsiCo employees are ineligible.

Selection of Recipients

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:

  • Academic record
  • Demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities
  • Work experience
  • Statement of goals and aspirations
  • Essay*

Financial need will be considered. Recipients must demonstrate need.

Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America. In no instance does any officer or employee of PepsiCo Foundation play a part in the selection. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients. Students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.

*Essay Topic

2,000 characters: How could receiving this scholarship help you overcome obstacles, including financial challenges, and ultimately reach your educational and career goals?

Awards

If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $25,000 award. Up to 25 awards will be granted.

Awards may be renewed for up to one additional year. Renewal is contingent upon satisfactory academic performance in a full-time course of study and continued enrollment at a college or university.

Awards are for undergraduate study only.

Award funds may be used primarily for tuition and fees and for education-related expenses including room and board and indirect educational expenses included in the cost of attendance.

In addition to funding towards cost of attendance, the scholarship also offers a rich series of professional development events, workforce readiness tools, and mentorship, to help recipients prepare for the transition to a successful corporate career.

Notification

All applicants will be notified in April.

Payment of Scholarships

Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of PepsiCo Foundation. Payment is made in early-August.

As part of your application, you must upload the following:

  • A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display student name, school name, grades and credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.
  • Optional: Student Aid Report (SAR).

Your application is not complete unless all required materials are submitted electronically.

PepsiCo Foundation has partnered with Scholarship America. Selecting the button below will redirect you the Scholarship America Student Hub!