Do you consider yourself the "other" kid? Maybe you're not a star athlete or do not have a perfect GPA. Rather, you fit in and excel with the creators, dreamers, or innovators. You are a student with passions that run strong and the desire to make a difference — and that's exactly who Taco Bell wants to support through its Live Más Scholarship!
For 10 years, Taco Bell has distributed scholarships to students pursuing education after high school. These scholarships have been awarded to employees and Taco Bell fans alike. In celebration of this milestone, Taco Bell has committed to giving away a record $14 million during the current application cycle to help students pursue their passions. Learn more about the 10-year milestone →
Fastweb members have even found this opportunity in their scholarship matches, applied, and won — becoming part of the $64 million legacy that Taco Bell has already invested in students' futures.
Deadline: 1/6/26
Award Amount: Up to $25,000 per recipient | Renewable for up to 4 years
Open to any eligible student, ages 16-26. Recipients are chosen based on passion, social impact, creativity, and educational goals.
Deadline: 1/6/26
Award Amount: From $5,000 – $25,000 per recipient This category is reserved for Taco Bell restaurant employees. Of the record $14 million awarded in 2025, $4.5 million will go to team members.
Live Más Scholarship Renewal: For previous winners who want to renew their award for another year — renewable for up to four years.
The goal of the Live Más Scholarship isn't simply to write a check for college — it's to invest in students who dream of making a difference and to help them achieve it through education and community impact.
About the Taco Bell Scholarships
Taco Bell's Live Más Scholarship program helps students earn degrees, develop professional skills, and pursue creative or entrepreneurial dreams. Unlike most scholarships, it is not based on GPA or test scores — it's about passion and purpose. The program is divided into three main categories:Apply Now: Live Más Scholarship
Available to: High School Juniors through Graduate Students, Year 5Deadline: 1/6/26
Award Amount: Up to $25,000 per recipient | Renewable for up to 4 years
Apply Now: Live Más Scholarship for Taco Bell Employees
Available to: Employees (Age 16 – 26)Deadline: 1/6/26
Award Amount: From $5,000 – $25,000 per recipient This category is reserved for Taco Bell restaurant employees. Of the record $14 million awarded in 2025, $4.5 million will go to team members.
Live Más Scholarship Eligibility
The Live Más Scholarship is open to students between the ages of 16 and 26. Applicants must be: A legal resident of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, D.C., or a legal dependent of an active-duty U.S. military member. Enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited post-secondary program, including two- or four-year colleges, community colleges, or vocational and trade schools. Applicants for the Live Más Scholarship for Restaurant Employees must be currently employed at a Taco Bell restaurant. Applicants for the Renewal Scholarship must be previous Live Más winners and meet the above criteria.How to Apply for the Live Más Scholarship
Applying for the Live Más Scholarship is a creative and quick process. Students submit a video (up to two minutes long, minimum 30 seconds) that answers the following prompts:- What is your passion, and how are you currently pursuing it or planning to pursue it?
- How do you plan to use your passion to make your community, country, or world a better place?
- What steps have you taken to create this change since being awarded a Live Más Scholarship?
- How has enrolling in post-secondary education helped to develop your passion and make the changes you want to see in the world?
Live Más Scholarship Renewal Program
Previous Live Más winners can apply to renew their scholarships for up to four years. These awards help students stay on track to complete their degrees and keep making a difference in their communities.2025 Live Más Scholarship Winners
Taco Bell recently awarded around 1,000 scholarships nationwide to students who demonstrated unique passion and impact. One winner, Siena Laws, is a California high school senior who discovered the scholarship on social media. Her passion for firefighting inspired her to join her local Explorer Program and plan a career in nursing at Texas A&M. Laws said, "Before receiving the scholarship, I would've had to work a lot and possibly take out loans to bridge the gap. Now, I can focus on my education and my passions." Another recipient, Matthew Sugiyama, used his personal story of advocacy to spread awareness of senior fraud after his grandmother lost her savings to a scam. Now attending the University of Michigan, Sugiyama said, "It's giving me the chance to attend my dream school and focus on making a difference — not just making ends meet." Matthew's advice to future applicants: "Just go for it. Even if you start with one application, you're already ahead. If you lead with your heart and share your story authentically, it can be life-changing."The Taco Bell Foundation & Round Up Program
The Taco Bell Foundation sponsors the annual Live Más Scholarship along with community grants and education initiatives. Funding comes from the Round Up Program, which encourages customers to "round up" their purchases to the nearest dollar to support the Foundation's scholarship and community grants. The average donation is just 44 cents — but those small acts add up to millions of dollars in educational support each year. If you're a Taco Bell customer, don't forget to round up your order — you could help send the next generation of world-changers to college.More Scholarships from Fast-Food Restaurants
If you're working to pay for college, consider a part-time job that helps cover tuition, too! Popular fast-food chains offering scholarships or tuition assistance include: • McDonald's HACER More Scholarship • Chipotle • Chick-fil-A • Pizza Hut • KFC • Starbucks Many other retail and restaurant employers offer college tuition benefits as well — including Target, Walmart, and Amazon.You Might Also Like
Shawna Newman
Managing Editor, Contributing Writer
Shawna Newman covers various topics related to post-secondary education, including trade schools, the military, and college. She details strategies for paying for school, such as scholarships, financial ai...
