Subway Fresh Start Scholarship opens 2026 applications for restaurant employees

Up to 250 Subway restaurant employees stand to receive $2,500 each through the Subway Fresh Start Scholarship™ program, a tuition-assistance fund administered by Scholarship America on behalf of the Subway Cares Foundation®. The program supports undergraduate and vocational-technical study and covers qualified education-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and required supplies or equipment.

Subway opened the 2026 application window on March 3, 2026, and Scholarship America’s Student Hub shows: “Applications Open - Deadline April 27, 2026 3:00 PM CT” and “Status: Open.” Scholarship America is listed as the program administrator and its evaluation team reviews eligible applications; award payments are listed in U.S. dollars and may be issued in recipients’ local currency when available.

Eligibility requires employment at a Subway restaurant for at least six consecutive months, a minimum GPA of 2.5, and status as a high school senior or college student seeking undergraduate study or a vocational-technical certificate in the country where the applicant is employed. “If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $2,500 award. Up to 250 awards will be granted,” Scholarship America states.

Awards are one-time and nonrenewable; Scholarship America explicitly notes: “Awards are not renewable, but students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.” Since the program began in 2016, Subway’s newsroom reports the Fresh Start Scholarship has distributed more than $5 million to roughly 2,000 Subway Sandwich Artists across North America and Australia. Subway’s official LinkedIn post celebrating 2025 recipients noted that 250 Sandwich Artists received $2,500 apiece, with honorees representing restaurants in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Germany, and Mexico.

Subway Cares Foundation executive director Michele DiNello framed the award program as part of broader philanthropic work with partners such as the Farmlink Project, World Central Kitchen, Folds of Honor, Nuts, Bolts, and Thingamajigs, Boys & Girls Clubs, and iMentor. DiNello said, “We have an immense responsibility to ensure today’s youth are given the guidance, assistance and opportunities needed to succeed. It’s rewarding to expand our impact around the world with the second year of grants to organizations doing outstanding work in line with our mission.” A 2023 recipient, Jennie Lee of Ontario, Canada, said, “With this scholarship, I can now pursue my educational goals with less financial burden and greater focus. Thank you for believing in my potential and investing in my future.”

Not all secondary sources agree on continuous availability. Scholarships360 published an April 17, 2024 editorial note stating, “As of 2025, the Subway Fresh Start Scholarship Program appears to not currently be available.” That comment conflicts with Subway’s LinkedIn announcement of 2025 recipients and Scholarship America’s 2026 listing showing the program open. Subway Cares Foundation and Scholarship America are the primary program contacts for application requirements, country eligibility, and payment logistics for the 2026 cycle.