McDonalds Scholarships

McDonalds scholarships for college are offered through a variety of college scholarship funds to deserving students since 1985. These include scholarships for members of underrepresented communities such as Hispanics, African Americans, and Asian Pacific Islanders. McDonalds also offers tuition assistance for their employees through their Archways to Opportunity program.

McDonalds Scholarship 2025

McDonalds offers four distinct types of scholarships or tuition assistance:

1. Archways to Opportunity - a tuition assistance program for McDonalds employees).

2. McDonalds APIA - for U.S. applicants with at least one parent of Asia-Pacific Island heritage

3. McDonalds African-American Scholarships - for U.S. applicants with at least one parent of African-American or Black-Caribbean heritage

4. McDonalds HACER - for U.S. applicants with at least one parent of Hispanic/Latino heritage

The number and the amount of all the McDonalds scholarships vary.

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McDonalds Archways to Opportunity Employee Tuition Assistance Program

Overview - Tuition Assistance is offered too eligible McDonalds employees. The money can be used to help pay for college courses that are taken at “approved schools” including two or four year public or private colleges or universities; business, technical or vocational schools; or graduate or post-graduate schools that are accredited by the Department of Education.

Tuition Assistance through Archways to Opportunity covers eligible course expenses (tuition and course fees) that are not covered by scholarships or grants.

Most employees are eligible for $2,500 in Tuition Assistance each year.

Eligibility Requirements

Be employed by McDonald’s for at least 90 cumulative days.

Work an average of 15 hours per week or more.

Have a performance rating of “significant performance” or better, maintained throughout the course/program.

For more information visit: www.archwaystoopportunity.com.

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McDonalds Asia Pacific Islander Scholarships

Overview - McDonalds is one of the supporters of the APIA Scholarship, open to AANHPI undergraduate students attending any U.S. accredited college or university. Scholarship amounts range from $2,500 one-year awards to $20,000 multi-year awards.

APIA focus is to support AANHPI students who are underrepresented on college campuses due to limited access and opportunity. For example, applicants who live at or below the poverty line; are in the first generation of their family to attend college; and/or represent of the APIA community’s geographic and ethnic diversity will be strong applicants.

Strong applicants would also have an emphasis on community service and leadership.

Eligibility Requirements

Ethnicity, heritage, or ancestry from the countries, territories, or lands in Asia or the Pacific Islands

Be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States. Citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau are also eligible to apply

Be enrolling or continuing as a degree-seeking undergraduate student in a U.S. accredited college or university in fall semester

Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted), or equivalent, or have earned a GED

Must apply for federal financial aid using FAFSA

McDonalds APIA Scholarship Application Deadline - Open from early September to early January.

For additional information see apiascholars.org.

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McDonalds African American Scholarships

Overview - McDonalds is one of the supporters of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, open to African American college students. Scholarship amounts vary.

Eligibility Requirements - The eligibility requirements vary depending on the scholarship.

McDonalds Scholarship Application Deadline - Varies

For additional information see www.tmcf.org.

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McDonalds HACER National Scholarship

for Hispanic High School Seniors

Overview - The McDonald's HACER National Scholarship Program will offer scholarships for tuition to 30 outstanding Hispanic students from the United States. McDonalds has awarded more than $5 million to Hispanic students as part of this scholarship program.

Tier 1 recipients will be awarded either $100,000, $50,000 or $25,000. Tier 2 recipients will receive $20,000 or $10,000 and Tier 3 recipients $5,000.

McDonalds HACER National Scholarship Eligibility Requirements -

Have at least one parent of Hispanic heritage

Be a high school senior

Be a legal U.S. resident

Be younger than 21 years old

Carry a minimum 2.8 GPA

Plan to attend a two-year or four-year college or university with a full-time course of study

Be willing to disclose other scholarship programs that you’ve applied for

Plan to enroll and attend an accredited institution in the academic year after your selection (verification needed, as scholarship funds are paid directly to the schools)

Selection Criteria - The scholarship recipients are selected based on academic achievement, financial need, and community involvement.

McDonalds HACER Scholarship Application Deadline - Fall

For additional information see www.mcdonalds.com.

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