Chicken chain Chick-fil-A on Thursday announced its annual college scholarship winners for 2021 totaling $19 million in educational funds for team members pursuing higher education. This year, the chain will award 7,492 scholarships — nearly 400 of which were directly financed by the sale of Chick-fil-A bottled sauces in supermarkets.
In 2020, Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A rolled out bottled sauces at retailers in select states across the country with nationwide distribution beginning this spring. All of the royalties from the sale of these sauces go toward the scholarship program.
To date, Chick-fil-A has distributed over $110 million in scholarships to team members.
“Since 1970, our scholarship programs have been instrumental in our investment in the growth and success of restaurant team members and their professional and personal development,” Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick-fil-A, said in a statement. “This year’s inspiring scholarship recipients possess strong leadership skills, demonstrate a commitment to academic achievement and continue to make a positive impact on their communities. Our mission is to play a small part in furthering their education, giving them hope and opportunities to change the world.”
The $19 million will be distributed across the over 7,000 recipients from 44 states plus Washington D.C. and Canada. Twelve team members were awarded with special $25,000 True Inspiration Scholarships which also include a brand-new laptop.
The other 7,480 scholarships are $2,500 each and will be distributed throughout April.
These scholarships can be applied to any area of study at any accredited higher education institution.
According to the chain’s survey of 2020 scholarship recipients, 54% stated their scholarship made it possible to attend college, with 16% being first-generation college students. Nearly 98% of the 2020 scholarship recipients surveyed said that scholarship opportunities are an important benefit to working at Chick-fil-A restaurants.
The chain also offers team members access to tuition discounts of 30% that can be used in addition to the scholarships or on their own.
