Burger King Scholars Program
Scholarship Sponsored by Burger King McLamore Foundation
Program overview
The BK Scholars program is the Foundation’s flagship scholarship initiative focused on expanding access to post-secondary education across North America. It provides financial support to students pursuing college or vocational/technical training and is open to both high school seniors and Burger King employees and their families. The program emphasizes academic achievement and community engagement as part of its mission to advance student success. Administration and funding are provided through the Burger King Foundation in partnership with franchisees.
Description: A scholarship program that awards funds to support higher-education and vocational training for eligible students associated with the Burger King community.
- Flagship scholarship program of the Burger King Foundation
- Supports college and vocational/technical education
- Open to high school seniors and Burger King employees and their families
- Administered in partnership with franchisees and the Foundation
Eligibility and selection
Applicants are evaluated through a formal application process that considers academic and personal factors. Eligibility includes eligible high school seniors as well as Burger King employees and their family members. Selection criteria weigh grade point average, work experience, extracurricular activities, financial need, and community service. Awards are made based on the combined assessment of merit and need.
Eligibility: High school seniors, Burger King employees, and eligible family members may apply; recipients are chosen based on academic performance, experience, extracurriculars, financial need, and service.
- Multiple applicant groups: students and BK employees/families
- Selection combines merit and financial need
- Standard application process required
- Community service and extracurriculars factor into decisions
Award value and intended use
Scholarship awards vary in size to accommodate different student needs and program types. Individual awards range from $1,000 to $60,000 and are intended to offset costs associated with attending college or post-secondary vocational/technical school. Award amounts are determined by the Foundation based on the type of scholarship and the recipient’s demonstrated need or merit. Funds are distributed to help cover education-related expenses for the recipient.
Award Value: Awards range from $1,000 to $60,000 and are designated to reduce the financial burden of higher-education or vocational training.
- Award range: $1,000–$60,000
- Designed to offset college or vocational/technical costs
- Amount varies by award type and recipient need
- Funds applied to education-related expenses
History and impact
The program was established to honor Burger King co-founder James W. McLamore and his commitment to philanthropy and education. Franchisee support and the founder’s legacy have helped the Foundation scale the program over time. To date, the BK Scholars program has made a significant impact across North America, with recent reporting showing cumulative scholarship totals in the tens of millions and awards to tens of thousands of students. In 2024 the Foundation awarded over $4.5 million in scholarships to nearly 4,200 students, and the program maintains an ongoing goal of expanding awards in line with the number of Burger King restaurants.
History of the Award: Founded to honor James W. McLamore’s legacy, the program has grown through franchisee support and ongoing Foundation efforts to expand scholarship access.
- Established to honor co-founder James W. McLamore
- Supported and scaled with franchisee involvement
- Significant cumulative impact across North America
- 2024: over $4.5 million awarded to nearly 4,200 students