the live más scholarship 2026 is a unique funding opportunity created to support young people who are driven by passion and purpose rather than grades or test scores. this scholarship focuses on students who want to make a positive impact in their communities while pursuing higher education or career training in the united states.
What is the live más scholarship 2026?
the live más scholarship is offered by the taco bell foundation to help students turn their passion into real-world impact. unlike traditional scholarship, this program does not require a minimum gpa, standardized test scores, or recommendation letters. applicants can choose to submit either a short essay or a video explaining their passion and goals.
beyond financial support, selected scholars gain access to mentorship, career development tools, and a supportive community designed to help them grow personally and professionally.
Scholarship deadline
the application deadline for the live más scholarship 2026 is january 6, 2026, at 5:00 pm pacific time. applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early to avoid last-minute issues.
Who can apply?
this scholarship is open to a wide range of students across the united states. to be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- be between 16 and 26 years old at the time of the deadline
- be a legal resident of one of the 50 u.s. states or washington, d.c.
- plan to apply, be currently applying, or already be enrolled in an accredited college, university, or technical program
- students from 2-year, 4-year, vocational, trade, and technical programs are eligible
- both taco bell employees and non-employees may apply
Renewal opportunities for returning scholars
returning scholars may renew the live más scholarship up to three times, provided they remain eligible. renewal is not automatic and requires reapplication using an invitation code. award amounts may vary each year.
How applications are evaluated
1. Passion
reviewers want to understand what truly motivates you. applicants should explain their passion, how they are pursuing it, and how it connects to their personal story.
2. Impact
students must show how they turn passion into action by outlining goals and concrete steps that create positive change in their community or beyond.
3. Live más mindset
live más means choosing a bold and unconventional path while staying true to yourself. applicants should describe how this mindset appears in their daily life and ambitions.
4. Financial need
for first-time applicants, financial need is considered as one factor to help ensure fair access to the scholarship.
About the taco bell foundation
the program is supported by the taco bell foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on empowering young people by removing barriers to education and career readiness.
