MoneyConsumer AlertsDon't Waste Your Money

Actions

Taco Bell is giving away $6 million in college scholarships

Posted
and last updated

If you or someone you know is heading off to college soon, chances are you’ve noticed how expensive it can be. From tuition itself to books and the cost of living in a dorm, it’s easily one of the most financially hard times in a person’s life.

In an effort to help cut those costs just a bit, the Taco Bell Foundation is now accepting applications for its fifth annual Live Más Scholarship. This program will give away more than $6 million to students, with scholarships ranging from $5,000-$25,000 each. Winners of the scholarship are also given access to a network of like-minded peers and mentors to build connections and develop personal and professional skills.

To apply, all you have to do is submit a simple, two-minute video on the Live Más Scholarship’s website describing your passion and how you’ll use it to make a difference. There are no essays required, and you do not have to submit your GPA or SAT scores.

However, you should explain what educational program you’re in now, the impact your passion will have on your local community, how you plan to achieve your passion through education and what your dream college or next educational step will be.

Get your application in by 5 p.m. Pacific on Jan. 23 to be considered!

Taco Bell Foundation

The Taco Bell Foundation says it will choose winners whose passion and pioneering spirit inspire their peers. The Live Más Scholarship is open to both Taco Bell team members and fans ages 16-24. Past winners can also apply to renew their scholarships.

“With student debt in America reaching an all-time high, the Taco Bell Foundation is proud to be part of the solution, fulfilling a growing need for accessible scholarship opportunities,” Tina Nguyen, executive director of the Taco Bell Foundation, said in a press release. “In the last round, we received an unprecedented 13,000 applications to our scholarship, which demonstrates the tremendous amount of students who will likely seek financial assistance from our program this year as well.”

To help fund the Live Más Scholarship, the Taco Bell Foundation accepts donations year-round through Round Up, where customers can “round up'” their order totals to the nearest dollar. Twice a year, it also holds a two-week national fundraiser using the Round Up model to promote donations in return for a coupon. During these times, buying tacos pays off for students as well as customers.

Getty Images | Dan Kitwood

Will you be applying for the Live Más Scholarship or do you know a deserving student who should send in a video? Good luck!

This story originally appeared on Don't Waste Your Money. Checkout Don't Waste Your Money for product reviews and other great ideas to save and make money.