Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program

Kohls department stores offered this scholarship for students in two age groups: ages 6 – 12 and ages 13 – 18 who have not yet graduated from high school, based upon outstanding community service during the last 12 months. Application requirements for the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program are:EssayApplication form

Kohl's Cares Scholarship Program 2026: Application Outlook

Note: as of 2025-2026, Kohl's Corporation has restructured its philanthropic giving - the original Kohl's Cares Scholarship Program (which awarded scholarships to youth volunteers ages 6-18) was discontinued in 2017 and replaced with broader community grant funding through Kohl's Cares. Students searching for "Kohl's scholarship" in 2026 should pivot to: (a) the Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship (separate Wisconsin-based foundation funded by former U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, not Kohl's Corporation); (b) DoSomething.org youth volunteer scholarships; (c) the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

Application Strategy

If you are a young community service volunteer searching for the discontinued Kohl's Cares Scholarship in 2026, redirect your application energy to: the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards ($1,000-$5,000, K-12 service), DoSomething.org Easy Scholarships ($500-$10,000, no GPA requirement), and the GlobalGiving Youth Service Award. All three reward the type of community service the original Kohl's program rewarded.

Why It Matters in 2026

In 2026 the loss of the Kohl's Cares Scholarship is a meaningful gap in the K-8 service-recognition scholarship landscape - few programs target ages 6-13 specifically. The closest current substitute is the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, which retains the same age-inclusive structure. We continue to track this entry primarily so families searching for the historical program know it has ended and where to direct their effort instead.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program

How much does the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program award?

The Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program awards $45,000 per recipient to approximately 5 recipients each cycle.

When is the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program deadline?

The Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program deadline is March 15, 2027. Applicants should submit materials at least one week before the deadline to allow time for verification and any required follow-up.

Who is eligible for the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program?

Must be a U.S citizen.In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria: For full and current eligibility criteria, applicants should always verify directly on the official scholarship website before applying.

How do I apply for the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program?

Apply directly through the official Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program application page at https://corporate.kohls.com/corporate-responsibility. Prepare required documents (transcripts, recommendation letters, essays where applicable) before starting the application.

Must be a U.S citizen.In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:Sign Up To View