PepsiCo Uplift Scholarship: Requirements and Opportunities

The PepsiCo Foundation Uplift Scholarship Program is designed to break down barriers for students lacking access to financial support and professional development opportunities. It aims to support students in sustaining their enrollment in community colleges, attaining trade certificates or associate degrees, and subsequently gaining employment. This initiative is part of the PepsiCo Foundation’s commitment to increasing economic opportunity by empowering individuals through education and creating pathways to stable careers.

About the PepsiCo Foundation Uplift Scholarship Program

The PepsiCo Foundation Uplift Scholarship Program offers students pursuing two-year degrees and professional certificate programs critical success resources, including financial assistance, student support, professional development, and employer networking.

For the 2nd year, in partnership with the PepsiCo Foundation’s National Community College Initiative, Peralta Colleges Foundation is offering scholarship opportunities for the most at-risk students enrolled in Peralta Community College District - College of Alameda, Berkeley City College, Laney College and Merritt College.

The partnership aims to increase workforce opportunities for qualified students enrolled in Associate Degree or Professional Certificate Programs with scholarships to pursue careers within high-demand high-wage fields that align with PepsiCo’s business model - MAKE/MOVE/SELL.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the needs-based PepsiCo Foundation Uplift Scholarship, students must identify as a member of an underserved community (i.e., not receiving enough help, products, or services) or otherwise meet one of the eligibility criteria.

Read also: Landing a PepsiCo Internship

Specific eligibility requirements include:

Being a current student at the City Colleges of Chicago.
Enrolled students with 6 units of classes and a 2.0 - 2.5 GPA
Enrollment in a relevant 2-year Associate Degree or trade certificate program: Credit or Non-Credit
At least 75% completion of your degree or certificate program
Completed FAFSA
Submit an application for the scholarship that includes a personal statement for why you should be selected for this opportunity.

Scholarship Benefits

Eligible students can receive up to $2,000 toward tuition costs, books, and other needs for enrolled eligible students who have completed 75% of their Associates Degree or Professional Certificate Program in Food Systems, Marketing & Sales, Advanced Manufacturing, Logistics, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Culinary Arts and other emerging career pathways.

Students of the Uplift Scholarship Program will be expected to meet with an assigned success coach throughout their enrollment.

PepsiCo Uplift Scholarship Impact

The Uplift program at St. Louis Community College showcases testimonials from Pepsi Co. scholarship recipients, highlighting the program's impact. Recipients express that the scholarship:

Provides more time to focus on coursework.
Boosts confidence in continuing education.
Offers a sense of accomplishment.
Decreases financial stress, allowing a shift in focus to school.
Makes lifelong dreams a reality.
Provides a way to support themselves and their families financially.
Reinforces that their success matters and that people are looking after them.
Helps them achieve their educational goals.
Opens doors to amazing opportunities.
Helps them grow into amazing business professionals.
Relieves financial stress.

Student Testimonials

Students have shared how the PepsiCo Uplift Scholarship has positively impacted their lives:

Read also: Marketing Internships at PepsiCo

One student noted that the scholarship has "changed my life" and made their "life long dream a reality."
Another student stated that receiving the scholarship gave them "the confidence I had lost at a point in time."
A single mother of six shared that the scholarship allows her "to make sure my children stayed focus on their education."
One recipient expressed gratitude, saying, "I am so blessed and I appreciate everything they have done for me."
A student pursuing a degree to set a good example for their son said it puts them on the "right path to take in life."
Alphonso B. noted that it has dramatically help launch my HVAC CAREER.
Another student expressed it solidifies me employment for years to come in the field of maintenance.

These testimonials underscore the transformative power of the PepsiCo Uplift Scholarship, enabling students from diverse backgrounds to pursue their educational and career aspirations.

Pursuing Further Education and Career Goals

Many scholarship recipients have ambitious plans for the future:

Some plan to transfer to a four-year institution to further their education.
Others aim to secure jobs in their chosen fields, such as HVAC.
Some intend to explore careers in I.T.
Many seek to set a positive example for their children and communities.
Students are getting lined up for a job, published work I'm proud of and taught me so much.

The scholarship empowers students to pursue their goals with confidence and determination.

Specific Program Examples

City Colleges of Chicago: The PepsiCo Foundation Uplift Scholarship Program offers critical success resources to students pursuing two-year degrees and professional certificate programs at City Colleges of Chicago.
Peralta Colleges Foundation: In partnership with the PepsiCo Foundation, Peralta Colleges Foundation offers scholarship opportunities for at-risk students enrolled in Associate Degree or Professional Certificate Programs within the Peralta Community College District.

Relevant Fields of Study

The scholarship supports students pursuing careers in high-demand, high-wage fields that align with PepsiCo’s business model, including:

Food Systems
Marketing & Sales
Advanced Manufacturing
Logistics
Information Technology
Cybersecurity
Computer Science
Culinary Arts
Engineering Science A.S.
HVAC

The Importance of Education

Recipients consistently emphasize the importance of education in achieving their goals:

Education provides better opportunities for the future.
A college education is worth the time and effort.
Education helps individuals grow and develop their personalities.
Earning a degree is a significant accomplishment and a source of pride.
Education can break cycles of struggle and create a better life.
Education makes it possible to learn anything they desire at any age.
Education is also very important.

Overcoming Obstacles

The PepsiCo Uplift Scholarship helps students overcome various obstacles to education:

Financial constraints: The scholarship reduces financial stress and allows students to focus on their studies.
Time management: The scholarship enables students to delegate time, skills, and responsibilities effectively.
Lack of confidence: The scholarship boosts confidence and empowers students to pursue their goals.
Limited opportunities: The scholarship opens doors to opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible.
Balancing family responsibilities: The scholarship helps single parents and others with family obligations to pursue their education.
The scholarship allowed a student to focus on parts because now they're had to find.

Impact on Communities

The scholarship benefits not only individual students but also their communities:

Recipients are inspired to give back and contribute positively to their communities.
Graduates with degrees and certifications can fill critical workforce needs.
Educated individuals serve as role models for others in their communities.
The scholarship supports communities and demographics who want to prosper in life.

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