KFC Foundation Scholarships & Tuition-Free Program 2027

If you work at a participating KFC restaurant and are thinking about going to college, you may qualify for financial support through the KFC Foundation. The Foundation offers two distinct education benefits: an Education Assistance Program that covers up to $5,000 in tuition each year upfront, and a competitive scholarship program worth up to $20,000.

Below, we’ll break down how both programs work, who is eligible, and what to consider if you’re comparing restaurant employers based on education benefits.

Does KFC Pay for College?

There are many companies that offer tuition reimbursement, and KFC’s approach combines two models.

Through the KFC Foundation’s Education Assistance Program, eligible employees can access up to $5,000 per year in tuition coverage. This money is paid upfront rather than reimbursed after you finish a course, and you don’t pay it back.

Separately, employees can apply for KFC Foundation Scholarships worth $5,000, $10,000, or $20,000. These are competitive and awarded based on an essay review, so not every applicant receives one.

The two programs serve different needs. Education Assistance is an ongoing benefit you can use year after year within a set catalog of online programs. Scholarships are a one-time award you can apply toward the accredited school of your choice.

KFC Foundation Education Assistance Program

The Education Assistance Program is the closest thing KFC offers to traditional tuition benefits, and it works better than most reimbursement models because the money arrives before you pay the school.

Eligible employees receive up to $5,000 in tuition each academic year, which runs August 1 through July 31 and resets annually. The benefit also includes up to $600 for books and $100 for fees. Costs above those amounts are your responsibility. A couple of things to know:

• What you can study: more than 1,000 fully online options, including degrees, certifications, trade-focused programs, and shorter skill-building courses. Covered subject areas range from business administration and computer science to HVAC, plumbing, marketing, and supply chain management. Education providers include Arizona State University, Franklin University, Indiana Tech, and ed2go Career Training.
• Eligibility is straightforward: you must work at a U.S. KFC restaurant participating in the KFC Foundation’s Annual Donation Program and be in good standing. There are no minimum hour requirements, so part-time team members qualify.

How to enroll:

1. Create an account on the KFC Foundation’s InStride platform to verify eligibility.
2. Answer a few questions to get program recommendations matched to your goals.
3. Browse the catalog and choose a program.
4. Submit your request to the KFC Foundation for review and approval.
5. Once approved, work with the school to finish enrollment and begin coursework.

If you leave KFC mid-program, you can finish any courses already underway, but future terms won’t be covered. If you withdraw after approval, you can apply again as long as you’re still employed. One-on-one support is available through a Personal Education Advisor.

KFC Foundation Scholarships

The KFC Foundation Scholarship program provides one-time awards to eligible employees enrolling in an accredited trade school, college, or graduate program. Unlike reimbursement programs, scholarships are awarded through an application and review process.

Recipients are selected based on essay score. GPA sets which award tier you can apply for, but it doesn’t determine who wins — the essays do.

Current award tiers:

• $5,000 — minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
• $10,000 — minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA, plus financial information and an additional essay
• $20,000 — minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA, plus financial information and an additional essay

All applicants are notified by email whether or not they receive an award. Winners must complete a scholarship acceptance form by the stated deadline or the award is forfeited and passed to the next applicant in line.

Two useful details: you must still be employed by KFC when you complete the acceptance form, but if you leave later, the scholarship remains yours to use. And if you withdraw from school after being funded, the Foundation does not require you to pay anything back.

Who Is Eligible for KFC Scholarships?

To qualify for KFC Foundation scholarships, applicants must:

• Work at a U.S. KFC restaurant participating in the KFC Foundation’s Annual Donation Program
• Be in good standing with their employer
• Have graduated from high school, earned a high school equivalency or GED, or be on track to graduate from high school
• Be enrolling in an accredited trade school, college, or graduate school
• Meet the minimum GPA for the award tier they’re applying to (2.5 or 3.5)

There are no minimum weekly hour requirements, so part-time team members are eligible.

Because participation depends on whether your individual restaurant contributes to the Foundation, check the Foundation’s list of participating restaurants or confirm with your manager before applying.

How to Apply for KFC Foundation Scholarships

If you’re interested in applying for a KFC Foundation scholarship, the general process includes:

The next application window runs January 4 through February 8, 2027. Windows and deadlines are published annually and change each year, so confirm current dates on the Foundation site before you plan around them.

1. Confirm your restaurant participates in the KFC Foundation Annual Donation Program.
2. Review current eligibility requirements and deadlines on the KFC Foundation website.
3. Complete the online application, including academic information and required documentation.
4. Write and submit your essay. If applying for the $10,000 or $20,000 award, complete the additional essay and provide financial information.
5. Watch for your email notification, and if selected, complete the acceptance form before the deadline.

Other KFC Education Programs

In addition to the primary scholarship program, the KFC Foundation offers other education-related initiatives.

Janet L. Kuhn Scholarship

Each year, one KFC Foundation Scholarship recipient has their award doubled through the Janet L. Kuhn Scholarship. To be considered, applicants complete an additional essay during the standard application process. Recipients of the $10,000 and $20,000 scholarships are not eligible for this award.

GED Achievement Programs

The KFC Foundation offers a free, all-inclusive GED program with unlimited access to official prep materials and testing in both English and Spanish, along with a personal GED Advisor who helps build a study plan.

The program includes several incentives:

• A $25 Visa gift card each time you pass a subject exam
• A $100 Visa gift card for passing the fourth and final test
• A guaranteed scholarship award for graduates who apply through the Foundation, follow all instructions, and meet minimum eligibility requirements
• Entry into an annual Graduate of the Year drawing for a $1,000 Visa gift card, held each December

To qualify, you must be at least 16 (18 in some states), not currently enrolled in high school, and not already hold a diploma or equivalent. The program must be completed on a computer, not a phone.

How KFC Compares to Other Restaurant Companies

Education benefits vary widely across the restaurant industry. Now that the KFC Foundation offers both upfront tuition assistance and scholarships, the comparison looks different than it did a few years ago.

KFC vs. McDonald’s

McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity offers tuition assistance of roughly $2,500 per year for eligible part-time crew and supervisors, and up to $5,250 for eligible full-time managers, with tenure and performance requirements attached. KFC’s $5,000 is available to eligible employees regardless of role or hours worked, though it’s limited to the InStride catalog. KFC also layers competitive scholarships on top.

KFC vs. Chipotle

Chipotle’s Cultivate Education program includes tuition assistance of up to $5,250 per year through Guild, plus select debt-free degrees where Chipotle covers full tuition upfront. KFC’s annual benefit is slightly lower at $5,000, but employees can also apply for scholarships worth up to $20,000 at the accredited school of their choice.

KFC vs. Starbucks

Starbucks remains the most generous of the group for a first bachelor’s degree. Its College Achievement Plan covers 100% of tuition for an ASU Online bachelor’s degree, with no annual cap. KFC employees can access ASU through the Education Assistance Program, but only up to $5,000 per year rather than full coverage. The tradeoff is breadth: KFC’s catalog includes trade programs, certifications, and graduate options, while SCAP is limited to first-time bachelor’s degrees..

Key Things to Consider

If you’re evaluating KFC’s education benefits, consider:

• Education Assistance provides $5,000 per year upfront, with no payback required
• Scholarships are competitive and not guaranteed
• GPA determines which scholarship tier you can apply for, but essays determine who wins
• Your restaurant must participate in the Foundation’s Annual Donation Program
• There are no minimum hour requirements for either program
• Education Assistance limits you to the InStride catalog; scholarships can be used at any accredited school

Understanding these differences can help you decide whether KFC’s scholarship structure fits your education plans.

FAQs About KFC Scholarships and Tuition Assistance

You might still have questions about KFC's program and tuition assistance opportunities. If so, it's worth reading the following questions and answers to have a clearer idea of the details.

Does KFC Offer Tuition Reimbursement?

KFC doesn’t use a reimbursement model, where you pay first and get money back. Instead, the KFC Foundation’s Education Assistance Program pays up to $5,000 in tuition upfront each year, so you never front the cost yourself.

How Much Money Can You Receive From a KFC Scholarship?

Scholarships are awarded in amounts of $5,000, $10,000, and $20,000. Because the program is competitive, not all applicants receive funding.

Can Part-Time Employees Apply?

Yes. The KFC Foundation states there are no minimum hour requirements for its education programs. You must be in good standing and work at a participating restaurant.

What GPA Do You Need for a KFC Scholarship?

A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA qualifies you for the $5,000 scholarship. A minimum 3.5 is required for the $10,000 and $20,000 awards, which also require financial information and an extra essay.

Do You Have to Attend a Specific School?

It depends on the program. Scholarship recipients can enroll at any accredited trade school, college, or graduate program. Education Assistance is limited to the online programs in the Foundation’s catalog, which includes schools like Arizona State University, Franklin University, and Indiana Tech.

Can You Use Both Programs?

The programs have separate applications and requirements. Employees interested in combining them should contact the KFC Foundation directly at foundation@kfc.com to confirm how the benefits interact.

What Happens if You Leave KFC?

If you’ve already won a scholarship and completed the acceptance form, the award is yours to keep. For Education Assistance, you can finish courses already in progress, but future terms won’t be covered.

Does KFC Help Employees Without a High School Diploma?

Yes. The GED Achievement program provides free prep and testing, gift card incentives for passing each subject exam, and a guaranteed scholarship award for graduates who apply and meet eligibility requirements.

Explore Online Degree Programs

KFC serves more than just popular chicken. They also give amazing opportunities to eligible team members. There are many other companies that reward their employees with tuition assistance. Be sure to learn about them and online degree programs at Learn.org.