McDonald's HACER National Scholarship
McDonald's USA
Opens later
Share of $1 million in scholarships for up to 100 high school seniors, based on academics, community impact, personal statement, and financial need
- How much
- $1 million in total scholarships supporting up to 100 students (individual amounts not stated on the official page)
- Who qualifies
- High school senior under 21; minimum 2.8 GPA; eligible to attend a 2- or 4-year college, university, or vocational/technical school full-time and enroll in the academic year after selection (funds paid to the school); must disclose other scholarships applied for. Selected on academics, financial need, community involvement, personal statement, and interview.
- For high school seniors
- legal US resident, US citizen, or DREAMer/DACA recipient
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Opens later annual; application window typically opens in the fall and closes in early-to-mid February; the 2027 window is not yet posted (page says 'application period is now closed')
- How to apply
- Online application (when open) with a transcript, personal statement, one online letter of recommendation, and a list of community service projects
- No essay
- FAFSA is not required at the start
- Semifinalists must provide their FAFSA Submission Summary
- Finalists have a personal interview (in person or by phone)
- What you'll need
- transcript + recommendation + interview + FAFSA
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (mcdonalds.com) and page 2
The details
Share of $1 million in scholarships for up to 100 high school seniors, based on academics, community impact, personal statement, and financial need Recipients are selected for academic achievement, community impact, personal statement, and financial need. More than 17,000 students have received over $35 million since the program began.
More federal and national aid
- QuestBridge National College Matchfull four-year scholarship to a partner college (worth $360,000+; tuition, room/board, no loans)
- Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Programup to $55,000/yr for up to 4 years (last-dollar after institutional aid)
- Davidson Fellows Scholarship$100,000, $50,000, or $25,000 (one-time)
- Burger King Scholars Program$1,000 to $60,000 (most general-track awards $1,000 or $5,000; up to three $60,000 James W. McLamore WHOPPER Scholarships)
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)$37,000/yr stipend + $16,000/yr cost-of-education allowance to the school, for 3 years
Keep looking
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.