The Taco Bell Foundation has announced the 10th opening of its Live Más Scholarship program, opening its applications for 2025. This year, the Foundation will distribute nearly $14 million in scholarships. The scholarships are available to students aged 16 to 26, including Taco Bell Team Members and customers. Up to $25,000 is up for grabs for each student who receives scholarship funds through the Foundation.
Over the past decade, the Live Más Scholarship has awarded more than $50 million in scholarship funds, helping almost 3,000 students. In addition to financial support, recipients gain access to a network of peers, mentors, and exclusive events, including an annual conference.
Taco Bell Team Member and three-time Live Más Scholarship recipient Victoria Mondani said, “I am incredibly grateful for the Live Más Scholarship, as it eases the financial burden of college, allowing me to concentrate more on pursuing my passions and investing more of myself into service projects. Working at Taco Bell was my first job, and I never could've imagined the impact this community has had on my life and career.”
The Live Más Scholarship encourages students to pursue the educational path they’re most suited for, whether it be trade school, community college, or a graduate program. The 2023–2024 application cycle saw a 127% increase in two-year programs for new scholarship recipients. Meanwhile, more than 42% of 2024 recipients were upperclassmen and more than 11% are pursuing graduate studies.
Unlike traditional scholarships that award funds based on GPA or athletic achievements, Live Más Scholarship applicants submit a two-minute video to passionately explain how they plan to make a positive impact and discuss how education will help them achieve their goals. The scholarship program also allows previous recipients to continue receiving support for up to four years.
Taco Bell Foundation Executive Sponsor and Taco Bell’s Global Chief Legal Officer Julie Davis said, “Empowering ambitious young people is at the heart of everything we do, supporting those who dare to dream big. This year is an especially exciting one as we're allocating more scholarship funds for Taco Bell Team Members than ever before. Their hard work and dedication are deeply appreciated, and we want to inspire and enable them to Live Más at every opportunity.”
Applications for the Live Más Scholarship are now open and will close on January 8, 2025. Scholarships levels of $5,000, $10,000, or $25,000 will be distributed to each student receiving an award. Taco Bell is reserving $4.5 million of the scholarship awards specifically for Taco Bell Team Members who have been employed with the restaurant chain for at least 30 continuous days.
Learn more about the Live Más Scholarship and the application process here: https://www.tacobellfoundation.org/
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