The Taco Bell Foundation has awarded a record $14.5 million in Live Más Scholarships to more than 1,500 students nationwide, marking the largest class in the program’s history.
The scholarship program, which recognizes students based on passion and ambition rather than grades alone, received more than 41,000 applications this year, the highest total ever recorded.
Applications nearly tripled year over year after the Foundation introduced a new option that allowed students to apply via either a video or a written essay.
Of the total awards, about 60% went to returning recipients, as the program continues to provide multi-year support for students pursuing their education and career goals.
This year’s class includes 35 Live Más Scholarship recipients from the Sacramento area, who collectively received more than $365,000 in funding.
Among them is Mariah C., a Sacramento-area Taco Bell team member who received a $25,000 scholarship, one of the program’s top awards, in a surprise presentation at her restaurant surrounded by coworkers and family.
Mariah said her passion for architecture was inspired by her father, a carpenter whose work ethic shaped her own ambitions.
She has since pursued architecture certifications and contributed to community projects, including building a bench for a local hospital. She aims to break barriers in the male-dominated field.
The Foundation also introduced Live Más Lab, in which six scholarship applicants pitched ideas to Taco Bell executives at the company’s headquarters.
Each participant received a surprise $25,000 scholarship, bringing the total awards to $150,000.
Beyond financial support, the program provides mentorship, networking, and career development opportunities tailored to students’ interests, including media and content creation experiences at select events.
The Taco Bell Foundation also supports students through community grants, awarding $28 million in 2025 and planning additional investments this year.
Funding is supported in part by customer donations through the Round Up program, where small contributions at checkout help fund scholarships and grants.