The Taco Bell Foundation offers the Live Más Scholarship, a unique award program designed to support students who use their passion to create positive change. This program stands out because it focuses on an applicant’s ambition, creativity, and commitment to action, rather than just academic grades or financial need. The scholarship is a major initiative by the Taco Bell Foundation, which supports over 40 U.S. nonprofit organizations.
The scholarship is an opportunity for students to secure funding for various educational paths, including two-year, four-year, and Master’s programs. To be eligible, applicants must be new applicants between the ages of 16 and 26. This award helps recipients fund their education while continuing to pursue projects or causes they care deeply about.
Applicants must submit an application that features an original video or essay, allowing them to highlight achievements and express their personal story. This non-traditional approach enables applicants from diverse backgrounds, majors, and career paths to compete for the funding. The Taco Bell Foundation invests millions of dollars annually to support its goal of breaking down educational barriers.
Key Details for 2026 Scholarship
- Award Amount: Individual awards range from $5,000 to $25,000.
- Eligibility: Students aged 16–26.
- Application Period: The 2026 application period is open from October 14, 2025, to January 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM PT.
- Winner Announcement: Recipients will be announced on or about April 21, 2026.
- How to Apply: Applicants must submit a video (30 seconds to 2 minutes long) or an essay (250-500 words for renewal applicants) that tells the story of their passion, how they are currently pursuing it, and how they plan to use it to make a difference in their community or the world.
Scholarship Coverage
The Live Más Scholarship provides financial awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 for new recipients. The specific award amount depends on the selection committee’s assessment of the applicant’s potential and the needs expressed in their video submission. The funds can be used for various education-related expenses, such as tuition, fees, and books.
This scholarship is highly flexible and covers many types of post-secondary education. Recipients can use the funds at an accredited two-year college, a four-year university, or a vocational-technical school. The award is also available to Master’s students, allowing them to secure funding for advanced degrees.
Recipients can also renew the scholarship for subsequent academic years, up to a maximum total of $35,000. Renewal applicants must meet eligibility criteria that include maintaining enrollment in their program and demonstrating continued commitment to their passion. The renewal process strengthens the scholarship’s impact by providing long-term support.
Eligibility Criteria
There are three core eligibility criteria for the Live Más Scholarship. First, all applicants must be new applicants who are legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia. Second, applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 26 as of the last day of the application period.
Third, all recipients must be currently enrolled in or plan to apply to an accredited post-high school educational program. These programs include community colleges, universities, vocational-technical schools, and Master’s degree programs. Employees of Taco Bell and their immediate families are eligible for a separate Live Más employee track.
Applicants must also be willing to craft a personal statement in the form of a video or essay about their passion and how they use it to create positive change. The committee seeks students who demonstrate leadership and show a clear vision for their future. Meeting these criteria is the first step to strengthen an application.
Also Apply for First Generation Scholarships.
Application Process
The application process requires three main components. First, the applicant must complete the online application form, providing basic personal and academic information. Second, the applicant must craft a personal statement about their passion.
This personal statement is submitted as either an original video or an original essay. The video must be between 30 seconds and 2 minutes long, while the essay must be between 250 and 500 words. The video or essay should clearly communicate their unique story, their biggest passion, and how they will use it to make a difference in the world.
Third, the applicant must agree to the scholarship’s terms and conditions. The application portal allows applicants to easily submit an application and track their status. The selection committee reviews application essays and videos to identify the most creative and impactful applicants.
Deadline
The application window for the 2026 Live Más Scholarship is open for approximately 12 weeks. The application period for the 2026 award opened on October 14, 2025.
The deadline to submit an application is January 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST). All materials must be submitted through the official online portal before this date. Applicants are strongly advised to prepare their video or essay well in advance to avoid any last-minute technical obstacles (upload failures, slow internet speeds, application system errors).
The scholarship committee typically notifies award recipients in late spring. Once notified, recipients must officially accept the award and provide final documentation, such as proof of enrollment, to secure funding.
