If you have a young adult in your life between 18 and 24, this one is worth your attention right now. Dr Pepper has been giving away tuition money for more than 30 years, and this year’s entry window closes September 30, 2026.
All it takes to enter is a short video. No essay, no purchase, and no need to already be enrolled in a four-year school.
Here’s what you need to know before the deadline hits.
What Is the Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway?
Dr Pepper’s Tuition Giveaway lets young adults submit a short video about their goals for a chance to win tuition money. Entrants who make it to the finals get flown out to compete for the biggest prizes at an on-field competition during the halftime show of one of three college football championship games this December.
There’s no purchase necessary to enter, and it’s open to legal U.S. residents (excluding Puerto Rico).
Who Can Enter?
You need to be between 18 and 24 years old at the time you apply.
You don’t have to already be in college. If you’re not there yet but you plan to enroll in an accredited two- or four-year college or vocational-technical/trade school, you can still apply, and any winnings would go toward that school once you’re enrolled.
What Do You Need to Submit?
Just a video, up to 60 seconds long, telling Dr Pepper about your goals, your need for tuition help, and how the money would make a difference. It needs to be:
- In MP4, MOV, or WMV format
- Under 500 MB
- Your own original creation
- Suitable for publication
- Submitted in English
Judges are looking at four things: your career goals, your need for tuition assistance, the impact the money would have, and how well you present it.
How Much Can You Win?
Finalists get flown to one of three championship games in December to compete for tuition money in a live halftime event:
- ACC Championship Game – Charlotte, NC (Bank of America Stadium)
- Big Ten Championship Game – Indianapolis, IN (Lucas Oil Stadium)
- SEC Championship Game – Atlanta, GA (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
All three games happen on December 5, 2026. At each one, three finalists compete in a football-throwing contest for:
- $100,000 grand prize
- $20,000 runner-up prize
- $2,500 consolation prize
That’s nine total prizes across the three games. Finalists who make it this far also get round-trip flights for themselves and a guest (or a $200 gas card if they live within 200 miles), two nights of hotel, and airport transfers covered.
How Can the Money Be Used?
This is the part that makes it especially worth applying for: the tuition award isn’t limited to a traditional four-year school. It can be used at any accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical/trade school, and it covers tuition, fees, books, supplies, and even on-campus room and board. It can also be used to pay off existing student loans, or some combination of both.
The money is paid directly to the school or loan servicer, not handed over as cash. The larger tuition awards don’t expire until the end of 2031 or until you finish your degree, whichever comes first. The $2,500 consolation prize has to be used by the end of 2027.
If you win but decide not to use the award yourself, you can designate someone else to receive it instead, as long as they’re at least 17 and a U.S. resident. You only get to do that once.
How Do You Enter?
Applications are open now through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 30, 2026. You can enter directly at drpepper.com/tuition, where you’ll find the video upload tool along with the full Official Rules.
A Quick Word on Winner Notification
If you’re selected, Dr Pepper’s contest administrator will try to reach you by phone or email using the contact info from your application. You’ll have three business days to respond before they move on to an alternate. Keep an eye on your phone and inbox (including spam) if you’ve entered.
Relief Recap
Free tuition money that doesn’t require a spotless transcript or a polished essay is rare, and this one’s flexible enough to help whether your family is aiming for a four-year school, a trade program, or just trying to knock out existing student loan debt.
If you want more no-cost options in the meantime, check out our master list of scholarships for low income students.
