Coolidge Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Coolidge Foundation

Application status and timeline

- Application open: The 2025–26 application is now available and accepting submissions.
- Submission deadline: All application materials — including letters of recommendation — must be uploaded by Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. Please plan around this exact timezone.
- Notification of decisions: By June 1, 2026 all applicants will be informed of their decision. Outcomes can be viewed by signing into your application portal. Finalists will receive a direct phone call and an invitation to attend Finalist Interview Weekend, held in Woodstock, Vermont and historic Plymouth Notch, Vermont. The Coolidge Foundation will pay travel and lodging for each finalist and one parent to attend Finalist Weekend.
- Summer 2026 programming:
- Newly named Coolidge Scholars will take part in an orientation week at the Coolidge Foundation in Plymouth Notch, Vermont.
- Newly named Coolidge Senators will participate in the 2026 Coolidge Senators Summit.

Who may apply

- Applicants for the 2025–26 Coolidge Scholarship must plan to begin full-time undergraduate study at an accredited U.S. college or university for the first time in fall 2027. In practical terms, current high school juniors (or the homeschooled equivalent) are eligible. Students who are juniors but also enroll in some college courses remain eligible to apply.
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents by the 2025–26 scholarship deadline.
- Applicants may not be immediate family members of any current employee, trustee, or a significant donor to the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation or the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Fund. (A “significant donor” is defined as someone with lifetime giving exceeding $25,000.)

Eligibility — common questions

- Am I eligible if I’m an international student?
- No. The Coolidge Scholarship is limited to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. U.S. citizens or LPRs who attend high school outside the United States are eligible.
- I’m a high school junior taking some college classes. Can I apply?
- Yes. Taking college courses while a junior does not disqualify you, provided you intend to enroll full-time as a first-time undergraduate in fall 2027.
- I plan to take a gap year and will start college after fall 2027. Can I apply?
- No. Only students who plan to begin full-time undergraduate study for the first time in fall 2027 are eligible for the 2025–26 award. No exceptions.
- I will graduate high school in spring 2026 (early). Am I eligible?
- No. Applicants must be high school juniors who will graduate in spring 2027 and matriculate in fall 2027.
- I’m currently a high school senior. Can I apply?
- No. Only current high school juniors are eligible for the 2025–26 competition. No exceptions.
- I’m a high school senior planning a gap year before college. Am I eligible?
- No. Only current juniors may apply.
- Could I retake senior year to become eligible if I win?
- No. Applicants may not alter their expected graduation year or repeat a grade to meet eligibility requirements.
- I skipped a grade previously and am the age of a typical junior. Am I eligible?
- If you are officially a current high school senior, you are not eligible. Only students who are in their junior year at the time of application may apply. Students who are current juniors but skipped a grade are eligible.

If you have other questions about eligibility or deadlines, please consult your application portal or contact the Coolidge Foundation for clarification.