The Coolidge Scholarship

Juniors with a demanding course load and real intellectual interests outside of class, especially in history, public policy, and the Constitution. Apply junior year or you miss it entirely.

• Current high school junior only; seniors and gap-year students are not eligible and there are no exceptions
• Must intend to enroll full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university as a first-time college student
• Must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident by the scholarship deadline
• U.S. citizens attending high school abroad may apply; international students may not
• The scholarship may be used at any accredited U.S. college or university

• Full-ride funding for tuition, room, board, and expenses across four undergraduate years
• Finalist Interview Weekend in Woodstock and Plymouth Notch, Vermont
• Orientation week in Plymouth Notch, Vermont the summer after selection
• Recognition as a Coolidge Senator for 100 top applicants, with a one-time college scholarship

• Online application through the Coolidge application portal
• Academic record showing rigorous coursework
• Letter of recommendation following the foundation's recommendation guidelines
• Written responses addressing academic interests, public policy interest, and service

• Put this on your calendar for the summer after sophomore year. Juniors are the only eligible class and the window closes in December.
• Read the foundation's selection criteria page before you write. It names specific Coolidge values: civility, enterprise, government thrift, federalism, and constitutional government.
• Show intellectual depth outside your transcript. Reviewers are looking for interests that go past what your school assigned.
• Humility and service are listed as secondary criteria. Write about care for others without grandstanding.
• The top applicants who are not named Scholars can be recognized as Coolidge Senators, which carries its own college scholarship. A near miss is still worth something.

The number of new Coolidge Scholarships is set annually, so there is no fixed count. The most recent published cycle closed December 16 at 5:00 PM Pacific. Finalists are contacted by phone and invited to Finalist Interview Weekend in Vermont. Selection is non-partisan and based on merit.