Burger King Scholarship

The Burger King Scholarship, also known as the Burger King Scholars Program, has awarded more than $20 million in scholarships since its inception in 1998. If you are considering college next year (2023-2024 academic year), now is the time to apply. The Burger King Scholarships are awarded to eligible students, student employees of Burger King, and their families throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. High school students and Burger King employees who are considering financial aid for college should apply for the Burger King Scholarship! The Burger King Scholarship is generously awarded to high school seniors every year, and is one of many significant college scholarship programs offered by similar companies in the restaurant industry.

Burger King Scholarship History

The Burger King Scholarship program was originally managed by the “Have it Your Way” foundation which later changed its name to the McLamore Foundation in memory of Burger King’s co-founder, James McLamore. James McLamore helped co-found the company in 1957, and remained involved as President or Board Member until 1976. The scholars program was started two years after his death in 1996 under the “Have it Your Way Foundation”. The McLamore Foundation was later formed in 2005 and manages several philanthropic endeavors for the Burger King Corporation, and relies on generous donations from employees, franchisees, and customers of Burger King restaurants. James McLamore held in high esteem the values of integrity, high standards, entrepreneurial spirit, good citizenship and education so the Burger King Scholarship is meant to carry on this tradition. The actual name of the Burger King Scholarship is the Burger King Scholars Program, but it is more commonly known as simply the Burger King Scholarship.

The non-profit scholarship fund awards college scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $50,000. For the 2022 school year alone, more than 4,000 Burger King Scholarships were awarded totaling $4.6 million! The amounts of awards vary every year, and the window for the Burger King application runs from October to December of the year prior to an award. For example, in 2008, the foundation awarded $1,000 scholarships to 972 high school seniors who were selected based on grade point average, financial need,work experience, extracurricular activities and community service. Additionally, 93 Burger King® student employees were awarded $1,000 scholarships and 27 student employees were awarded $5,000 scholarships. In addition to the Burger King Scholars Program, the Burger King McLamore Foundation administers the BK Family Fund. Founded in 2004, the BK Family fund provides hardship assistance grants to Burger King employees in their time of need. Since its inception, the BK Family Fund has awarded more than $1 million in hardship grants to BK families around the world. Unlike the Burger King Scholars Program, the BK Family Fund administers funds in many more countries around the world including Argentina, Italy, Brazil, and China to name a few.