Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Student Loans Fast Food Scholarships Updated May 28, 2025 3-min read Written by Mike Brown Written by Mike Brown Expertise: Mike Brown uses data from surveys and publicly-available resources to identify emerging personal finance trends and tell unique stories. Mike’s work, featured in outlets like the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post, provides consumers with a personal finance measuring stick to make informed financial decisions. Learn more about Mike Brown Scholarships are a great way to help students cover the cost of college. They are free and do not need to be repaid once they are used. In fact, scholarships should be the first form of financial aid college students seek. Scholarships are offered by various organizations and programs, including fast food restaurants. In case you’ve exhausted your federal financial aid, school aid package, and scholarship opportunities, and are currently in need of funding for school, here’s our list of top-rated private student loan lenders: Best Private Student Loans in 2025: Reviewed and Ranked. Keep reading as we walk you through a few fast food restaurants that help students afford the cost of college. Company Rates (APR) Rating (0-5) 5.0 View Rates 5.59% – 16.99% 5.0 View Rates 4.8 View Rates 5.59% – 16.99% 4.8 View Rates 4.7 View Rates 5.59% – 16.99% 4.7 View Rates 4.7 View Rates 3.54% – 15.99% fixed-rate APR w/ all discounts included1 4.7 View Rates 4.6 View Rates 5.59% – 16.99% 4.6 View Rates 4.6 View Rates 11.16% – 13.98% 4.6 View Rates 4.5 View Rates 5.59% – 16.99% 4.5 View Rates 4.4 View Rates 2.71% – 7.38% 4.4 View Rates 3 Fast Food Scholarships Below you will see a list of scholarships offered by fast food restaurants. It’s important to read through each scholarship’s eligibility requirements before applying. KFC REACH Educational Grant Program Apply now Value: Up to $3,000Essay: Not disclosedDeadline: March 25 The KFC REACH Educational Grant Program is intended to assist KFC restaurant employees with college tuition assistance. They hope this scholarship will help their employees afford the cost of college attendance. Value: Up to $3,000 Grade Eligibility: Must be a high school graduate, current college undergraduate, graduate, or trade/vocational school student GPA Requirements: 2.5 Essay: Not disclosed Deadline: March 25 Other Requirements: Must be employed at a participating KFC restaurant at the time that REACH Grant recipients are announced Did you know? If you win a scholarship after you’ve already taken out student loans, you can typically use this funding to pay down your balance with your lender. (Student loan lenders are prohibited from charging fees for early payment.) Mcdonald’s HACER National Scholarship Apply now Value: Not disclosedEssay: NoDeadline: Not disclosed The McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship is intended to help Hispanic high school graduates afford the cost of college and achieve their dreams of higher education. Value: Not disclosed Grade Eligibility: Must be a high school senior GPA Requirements: 2.8 Essay: No Deadline: Not disclosed Other Requirements: Must have at least one parent of Hispanic heritage Must enroll and attend an accredited institution in. the academic year after your selection Must be eligible to attend a two- or four-year college or university with a full-time course of study Must disclose the scholarship programs you’ve applied for Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship Apply now Value: Up to $25,000Essay: NoDeadline: To be determined The Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship is intended to help people achieve their dreams of higher education. They are look for people who boldly pursue their dreams and inspire those around them to do the same. Value: Up to $25,000 Grade Eligibility: Must be on-track to apply for or enrolled in an accredited post-high school/post-secondary educational program GPA Requirements: No Essay: No Deadline: To be determined Other Requirements: Must submit a video maximum of two minutes which answers specific questions on the application Open to both employees and consumers, ages 16 – 24 Must be a legal resident of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia Recap of Fast Food Scholarships ScholarshipValueDeadlineKFC REACH Educational Grant ProgramUp to $3,000March 25McDonald’s HACER National ScholarshipNot disclosedNot disclosedTaco Bell Live Más ScholarshipUp to $25,000To be determined Next Steps If you are not eligible for these scholarships or simply hope to pursue other scholarship opportunities, here are a few guides that can assist you: Scholarships Guide Brand Name Scholarships In addition to these guides, another option for college students searching for scholarships is the Cappex Easy College Money Scholarship. It is open to anyone currently enrolled in college, or to those planning to enroll in the next 12 months. Apply now Value: $1,000Essay: NoneDeadline: June 30