February 1, 2018

The Coolidge Scholarship is an annually awarded, full-ride, presidential scholarship that covers a student’s tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study. The Coolidge may be used by recipients at any accredited college or university in the United States. Anyone of any background, pursuing any academic discipline of study, may apply to this non-partisan, need-blind, program.

Students apply for the Coolidge Scholarship during their junior year of high school. Finalists are flown in for a finalist weekend at the Coolidge Historic Site in Plymouth Notch, Vermont where they interview with the Coolidge Scholars Finalist Jury. Recipients of the Coolidge Scholarship are notified of their award late in their junior year, before college application (note: current high school seniors are not eligible to apply). Finalists who are not named Coolidge Scholars are eligible to receive a smaller, one-time, college scholarship.

Calvin Coolidge worked hard in academics; the young New Englander’s only sport was public speaking, often on public policy. The main criterion that distinguishes Coolidge Scholars therefore is academic excellence. Secondary criteria include: demonstrated interest in public policy; an appreciation for the values Coolidge championed; as well as humility and service.

The summer before their senior year of high school, newly-selected Coolidge Scholars spend several orientation days at the picturesque birthplace of the President, Plymouth Notch, Vt. There scholars get to know Coolidge and his world, and help the Coolidge Foundation oversee its formidable debate programs. Scholars return to Plymouth Notch for a week each summer while in college.

Although only a few students are named Coolidge Scholars each year, one hundred of the top Coolidge Scholarships applicants are named “Coolidge Senators.” Coolidge Senators are invited, all-expenses-paid, to participate in the Senators Summit that takes place each summer. At the Summit,  learn about President Coolidge and his world and meet other high achieving students from across the country.

The Coolidge Scholars Program is operated by the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Fund.

Application Timeline

Application Launch: The 2024-25 Coolidge Scholarship is now live and accepting applications! The application can be accessed here.

Application Deadline – Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time: Please note the timezone. All application materials, including letters of reference must be submitted by the deadline.

By Summer 2025: All applicants will be notified of their outcomes. Applicants can check their outcome by logging into their application portal. Applicants who are named finalists will be contacted directly by phone and invited to Finalist Interview Weekend, which takes place in Woodstock, Vermont and historic Plymouth Notch, Vermont. The Coolidge Foundation will cover the travel and lodging costs for finalists and one parent to attend Finalist Weekend.

Summer 2025: Newly selected Coolidge Scholars will spend an orientation week at the Coolidge Foundation in Plymouth Notch, Vermont.

Summer 2025: Newly selected Coolidge Senators will attend the 2025 Coolidge Senators Summit.