If you are studying to enter the hospitality industry, there are a slew of scholarships out there to help you reach your goals. Below, we’ve highlighted 30 great scholarships specifically offered to those working towards careers in:
- hotel management
- restaurant management
- tourism
- food procurement
- other jobs relating to hospitality
For convenience, the scholarships are ordered chronologically by application deadline.
Samuel Huntington Public Service Award
Scholarship Amount: $15,000
Deadline: January 17, 2020
Experiencing the world is important for anyone who wishes to make a career out of tourism, or another hospitality-related focus. The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award makes such an experience possible by awarding a graduating college senior with $15,000 to pursue a year of public service anywhere in the world. To be considered for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, applicants must:
- submit a project proposal, along with their academic record and other personal achievements
- complete an interview if deemed a finalist
Contact:
Amy Stacy
National Grid
40 Sylvan Road
Waltham, MA 02451
781-907-3358
Scholarship Website
The Vegetarian Resource Group College Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $5,000 (two available), $10,000 (one available)
Deadline: February 20, 2020
Thanks to a very generous donor, The Vegetarian Resource Group is able to provide $20,000 in scholarships each year. The scholarships are specifically for graduating high school students who have shown a commitment to vegetarianism. To be considered for either a $5,000 award or the $10,000 award, applicants must:
- be graduating high school in spring 2020
- submit an essay and application
- finalists may be asked to provide further information
Contact:
Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 1463
Baltimore, Maryland 21203
vrg@vrg.org
410-366-8343
Scholarship Website
Friends of the California State Fair Scholarship Program
Scholarship Amount: Up to $2,500
Deadline: February 28, 2020
Each year, Friends of the California State Fair presents up to 26 California-based students with scholarships worth up to $2,500. Scholarships are available in a variety of categories, including:
- culinary cooking
- hospitality management
- event planning
To apply for this scholarship, applicants must:
- be a California resident with a valid ID
- be enrolled, or plan to enroll, in a culinary school or accredited two- or four-year college or university in the state of California
- have declared a major related to culinary cooking, event planning, or hospitality management
- have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Contact:
Scholarship Committee
1600 Exposition Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95815
scholarship@calexpo.com
855-670-4787
Scholarship Website
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
Deadline: March 15, 2020
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarship is for any student pursuing, or with plans to pursue, an educational degree program relating to restaurant management, food service, or hospitality. Applicants must:
- be a citizen or lawful resident of the United States
- be enrolled or accepted in an accredited post-secondary institution
- be unrelated to any employee of the National Restaurant Association or its affiliates
Contact:
Matthew Rosales
2055 L St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
scholars@nraef.org
800-424-5156
Scholarship Website
Scott Vandenberg Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
Deadline: March 15, 2020
Offered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Scott Vandenberg Scholarship is for any student in the process of pursuing an education in a major related to:
- restaurant management
- food service
- hospitality
Successful applicants will:
- be a citizen or lawful resident of the United States
- be enrolled or accepted in an accredited post-secondary institution
- be unrelated to any employee of the National Restaurant Association or its affiliates
Contact:
Matthew Rosales
2055 L St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
scholars@nraef.org
800-424-5156
Scholarship Website
Rachael Ray’s Yum-O! Organization Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: Minimum $2,500
Deadline: March 15, 2020
Rachael Ray got her start as a waitress, and now her Yum-O! brand sponsors this scholarship for others in the food service industry who wish to pursue a career in hospitality. Scholarships are awarded to students from diverse backgrounds and geographical areas. Preference is given to those who have graduated from a Health Schools high school. To apply for the scholarship, applicants must:
- be a citizen or lawful resident of the United States
- be enrolled or accepted in an accredited post-secondary institution
- be unrelated to any employee of the National Restaurant Association or its affiliates
Contact:
National Restaurant Association
Matthew Rosales
2055 L St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
scholars@nraef.org
800-424-5156
Scholarship Website
Famous Dave’s Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
Deadline: March 15, 2020
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and Famous Dave’s BBQ restaurant have paired up to offer the Famous Dave’s Scholarship. Successful scholarship applicants will be:
- pursuing a major related to food service, restaurant management, or hospitality at an accredited college or university
- be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- be unrelated to any employee of the National Restaurant Association or its affiliates
Contact:
Matthew Rosales
2055 L St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
scholars@nraef.org
800-424-5156
Scholarship Website
Tourism Cares Academic Scholarships
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Deadline: April 1, 2020
Up to 52 scholarships totaling $70,000 are handed out each year by Tourism Cares. By submitting the general application, students will be considered for any scholarships for which they are eligible. General eligibility requirements include:
- Must be enrolled in a program of study related to travel, tourism, or hospitality as a full-time or part-time student
- Must be pursuing an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in a two- or four-year college or university
- Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA
Eligibility requirements vary for graduate applicants.
Contact:
Scholarship Committee
20 Vernon Street
Norwood, Massachusetts 02062
scholarships@tourismcares.org
Scholarship Website
American Bus Association Academic Merit Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Deadline: April 6, 2020
The American Bus Association (ABA) offers a variety of scholarships to both members and non-members who are pursuing courses of study and/or careers relating to transportation, travel, and the tourism industry. Two $5,000 Academic Merit Scholarships will be awarded in 2020. To be eligible, applicants must:
- be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited college or university
- have declared a major relevant to tourism, travel, or transportation
- submit a short essay on an assigned topic
- maintain a minimum GPA of 3.4
Contact:
Scholarship Committee
700 13th Street, NW
Suite 575
Washington, DC 20005
mflorio@buses.org
800-283-2877
Scholarship Website
American Bus Association Diversity Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Deadline: April 6, 2020
Another scholarship offered by the American Bus Association (ABA) is the Diversity Scholarship. One $5,000 scholarship will be awarded in an attempt to broaden the number of traditionally underrepresented groups in the hospitality industry. Applications for the Diversity Scholarship must:
- demonstrate their diversity (cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, nationality, age, race, ethnicity, etc.)
- be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited college or university
- have declared a program of study relating to travel, the tourism industry, or transportation
- submit a 500-word essay describing the role they wish to play in advancing the future of their industry
Contact:
Scholarship Committee
700 13th Street, NW
Suite 575
mflorio@buses.org
800-283-2877
Scholarship Website
American Hotel and Lodging Educational Foundation American Express Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: Up to $2,000
Deadline: April 15, 2020
The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation offers the American Express Scholarship to current lodging employees and their dependents. To be eligible, applicants must:
- be a dependent of an employee at, or be employed by an AHLA-member hotel
- be enrolled in an undergraduate hospitality management program in the United States
Contact:
Crystal Hammond
1250 Eye Street
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
membership@ahla.com
202-289-3180
Scholarship Website
American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation Graduate Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Deadline: April 15, 2020
The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation offers this $5,000 scholarship to graduate students who are pursuing a master’s degree in a hospitality-related program, and/or who hold an undergraduate degree in a hospitality-related program. Other eligibility requirements include:
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0
- Be currently enrolled full- or part-time in a college or university in the United States
Contact:
AHLEF
1250 Eye Street, NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
scholarships@ahlef.org
202-289-3180
Scholarship Website
American Hotel and Lodging Educational Foundation Incoming Freshman Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $4,000 (Baccalaureate), $2,000 (Associate’s)
Deadline: April 15, 2020
New college students intent on studying hospitality management have the chance to be awarded either $4,000 or $2,000 by the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Foundation. Preference is given to high school students who have participated in the Lodging Management Program (LMP) or the Hospitality & Tourism Management Program (HTMP). However, any student who fits the following eligibility may apply:
- An incoming freshmen at a U.S.-based college or university for the upcoming fall semester
- Intending to declare a hospitality management undergraduate major
- A minimum GPA of 2.0
- A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Contact:
AHLEF
1250 Eye Street, NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
scholarships@ahlef.org
202-289-3180
Scholarship Website
American Hotel and Lodging Educational Foundation Arthur J. Packard Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $5,000 (1st Place), $3,000 (2nd Place), $2,000 (3rd Place)
Deadline: April 15, 2020
This scholarship honor. Arthur J. Packard, a third-generation hotelier who worked for the American Hotel and Lodging Association for 30 years. The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) offers this scholarship to students who have been nominated by their program at an AHLA-affiliated four-year college or university. Besides the nomination, applicants must:
- be a full-time student enrolled in at least 12 credits
- be pursuing a baccalaureate degree in hospitality management
- be entering his or her junior year in the upcoming fall semester
- maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher
- be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Contact:
AHLEF
1250 Eye Street, NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
scholarships@ahlef.org
202-289-3180
Scholarship Website
American Hotel and Lodging Educational Foundation The Hyatt Hotels Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students
Scholarship Amount: $3,000
Deadline: April 15, 2020
The Hyatt hotel chain established this scholarship fund through the American Hotel and Lodging Association to provide financial aid to minority students pursuing a degree in hotel management. To eligible for a $3,000 scholarship, students must:
- be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- be of African-American, Native American/Alaskan, Hispanic, or Asian/Pacific Islander descent
- be entering their junior or senior year at a U.S. college
- be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, and be enrolled in at least 12 credits
Contact:
AHLEF
1250 Eye Street, NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
foundation@ahlef.org
202-289-3180
Scholarship Website
American Hotel and Lodging Educational Foundation The EcoLab Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $2,000 (Baccalaureate), $1,000 (Associate’s)
Deadline: April 15, 2020
Presented by the American Hotel and Lodging Association, this scholarship was established by Ecolab to support future leaders of the hotel industry. To be eligible for the award, applicants must:
- be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits
- be pursuing an undergraduate hospitality management degree at a college or university in the United States
Contact:
Scholarship Committee
1250 Eye Street, NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
foundation@ahlef.org
202-289-3180
Scholarship Website
The Trotter Project’s Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: Up to $10,000
Deadline: April 15, 2020
Students currently enrolled in an accredited culinary arts or hospitality program may apply to be awarded up to $10,000 from The Trotter Project. To apply, applicants must:
- have an unweighted GPA of 2.5 or better
- be enrolled in a culinary arts or hospitality degree program at an accredited college or university
- display financial via a document from the applicant’s college or university
- submit a resume, current academic transcript, a letter of recommendation, and a three-minute video expressing interest in hospitality and long-term goals
Contact:
LaKiesha P. Dunn
816 W. Armitage
Chicago, IL 60614
lpdunn@thetrotterproject.org
312-330-3304
Scholarship Website
The Trotter Project’s Chef Homaru Cantu Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $10,000
Deadline: April 15, 2020
Any student attending a United States-based college or university, and studying culinary arts or hospitality management may apply for The Trotter Project’s Chef Homaru Cantu Scholarship. To be eligible for this $10,000, partial-tuition scholarship, applicants must:
- have an unweighted GPA of 2.5 or better
- be enrolled in a culinary arts or hospitality degree program at an accredited college or university
- submit a resume, current academic transcript, a letter of recommendation, and a three-minute video expressing interest in hospitality and long-term goals
Contact:
LaKiesha P. Dunn
816 W. Armitage
Chicago, IL 60614
lpdunn@thetrotterproject.org
312-330-3304
Scholarship Website
Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Foundation John McComb Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Deadline: May 13, 2020
Each year, the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association awards scholarships to graduate and undergraduate students pursuing various degree programs. The John McComb Scholarship is specifically for students majoring in something related to recreation, which includes tourism and its related subjects. Successful applicants will:
- be enrolled in a relevant degree program at an accredited institution in the United States
- have completed a minimum of 30 total credit hours, 12 from their major
- have maintained a minimum 3.0 GPA
Contact:
Ohio Parks & Recreation Association Foundation
1069 A West Main Street
Westerville, OH 43081
opra@opraonline.org
614-895-3050
Scholarship Website
James Beard Foundation National Scholars Program
Scholarship Amount: $20,000
Deadline: May 15, 2020
Those planning to study at a licensed or accredited culinary school will be interested in applying for the James Beard Foundation Scholarships. Successful applicants will:
- be high school seniors or recent graduates planning to attend culinary school or another food-focused program
- submit a complete application
Students who submit the entire application will automatically be considered for any and all scholarships offered this year by the James Beard Foundation.
Contact:
Scholarship Committee
One Scholarship Way
St. Peter, MN 56082
jamesbeard@scholarshipamerica.org
507-931-1682
Scholarship Website
Helen Brett Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000
Deadline: June 1, 2020
The Helen Brett Scholarship is offered by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). It is given in support of students pursuing a four-year degree relating to exhibition and event management. IAEE hopes that the scholarship will help to attract college-level students into the field of exhibitions and events. Applicants should:
- submit an official academic transcript
- maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 or better
Contact:
Peggy Johnston
12700 Park Central Drive
Suite 308
Dallas, Texas 75251
pjohnston@iaee.com
972-687-9202
Scholarship Website
Educated Eats Frans Hagen Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Deadline: June 21, 2020
Students planning to pursue a career in food service are invited to apply for the Frans Hagen Scholarship offered by Educated Eats. Scholarships available for both high school students looking forward to college. Scholarships are also available for those working in the food service industry who would like to pursue an education towards a career in the food service or culinary industries. Successful applicants will:
- be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and reside in the Washington, D.C. area
- have been accepted into a full-time hospitality- or culinary-related program
- be currently enrolled in high school, or have graduated high school within one year, or have worked 400 hours of food service internship work
- have a minimum 2.75 GPA or be in the top one-third of one’s class
Contact:
Scholarship Committee
1625 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
trinita@ramw.org
202-331-5990
Scholarship Website
Clem Judd Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
Deadline: July 1, 2020
Hawaiians looking to pursue a career in a hotel management are invited to apply for the Clem Judd Jr. Memorial Scholarship offered by the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association. To apply, students must:
- provide proof of Hawaiian ancestry by providing either their birth certificate, or the birth certificate of a parent or grandparent
- be a current resident of Hawaii
- be a junior or senior in a hotel management program at an accredited college or university
- have a minimum 2.8 GPA
Contact:
Scholarship Committee
2270 Kalakaua Avenue, Suite 1702
Honolulu, HI 96815
info@hawaiilodging.org
808-923-0407
Scholarship Website
Johnson & Wales University ProStart National Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $2,500 (1st Place), $2,000 (2nd Place), $1,500 (3rd Place)
Deadline: August 10, 2020
The Johnson & Wales University ProStart National Scholarship is open to any student who has participated in the university-sponsored ProStart event at the national conference. The renewable scholarship is awarded to three students who complete the application and submit the scholarship verification card by August 10. Students at any JWU campus are invited to apply.
Contact:
National Student Organizations Office
401-598-2345
Scholarship Website
International Franchise Association Choice Hotels International Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: “A competitive one-time award”, plus a $1,500 travel stipend to attend the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Annual Convention
Deadline: October 31, 2020
The International Franchise Association and Choice Hotels International have teamed up to present this very competitive scholarship to a student currently pursuing a career in hospitality. In addition to a generous monetary award, the scholarship recipient will receive a travel stipend to attend the International Franchise Association’s Annual Convention. Eligibility requirements include:
- Must be enrolled in an accredited school studying business, hospitality, or franchise management
- Be a junior or senior at the undergraduate level
- Be a U.S. citizen attending a U.S.-based college or university
Contact:
Scholarship Committee
1900 K Street
NW #700
Washington, DC 20006
rdupont@franchise.org
202-628-8000
Scholarship Website
International Franchise Association Marriott Foundation Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: “A competitive one-time award,” plus a $1,500 stipend to attend the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Annual Convention
Deadline:October 31, 2020
This generous scholarship includes a monetary amount along with a $1,500 stipend to attend the International Franchise Association (IFA)’s Annual Convention . It’s a collaboration between the IFA and Marriott Foundation. To be eligible for this award, applicants must:
- be enrolled in an accredited school studying business, hospitality, or franchise management
- be a junior or senior at an accredited U.S. college or university
- be a U.S. citizen
Contact:
Scholarship Committee
1900 K Street
NW #700
Washington, DC 20006
rdupont@franchise.org
202-628-8000
Scholarship Website
International Franchise Association Stewart and Jane Bainum Foundation Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: “A competitive one-time award,” plus a $1,500 stipend to attend the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Annual Convention
Deadline:October 31, 2020
Like the two aforementioned scholarships, the Stewart and Jane Bainum Foundation Scholarship will award one student with “a competitive one-time award,” plus a stipend to attend the International Franchise Association’s Annual Convention. To be eligible for this generous scholarship, one must:
- be a U.S. citizen
- be a sophomore, junior, or senior at an accredited U.S. college or university
- be studying business, hospitality, or franchise management
Contact:
Scholarship Committee
1900 K Street
NW #700
Washington, DC 20006
rdupont@franchise.org
202-628-8000
Scholarship Website
Linda Thompson Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Deadline: November 1, 2020
The Association of Destination Management Executives International invites students to apply for the Linda Thompson Memorial Scholarship. A number of $1,000 scholarships are available each year. To be eligible, applicants must:
- be attending, or intend to attend an accredited college or university
- be pursuing a meetings management or hospitality degree program
- submit an application, along with a 250-word essay on an assigned topic
Contact:
Scholarship Committee
201 Hunters Crossing Blvd.
Bastrop, TX 78602
admei@admei.org
512-345-8833
Scholarship Website
Anthony Narigi Hospitality Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000
Deadline: Varies
The Anthony Narigi Hospitality Scholarship supports Northern California-based students who are enrolled in a hospitality-related program and plan to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. Qualifications include:
- Residency in Contra Costa County, Monterey County, Napa County, San Francisco County, Santa Clara County, or Sonoma County
- Must be either currently employed in the hospitality industry, or applied for or enrolled in a hospitality-related educational program
- Must have worked either 250 hours (current employees) or 100 hours (current students) in a job related to hospitality
- Have a high school diploma and a minimum 2.5 GPA
Contact:
Gayle Davies
2440 W. El Camino Real
Suite 300
Mountain View, CA 94040
gdavies@montereyplazahotel.com
831-645-4002
Scholarship Website
Johnson & Wales University International Presidential Scholarship
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Johnson & Wales University is one of the foremost institutions for culinary and hospitality-related degree programs. For international students intending to study at a U.S.-based Johnson & Wales University, there is the International Presidential Scholarship. These merit-based awards are renewable for up to four years. To be eligible, applicants must:
- be an incoming international student
- have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or a “B” average
- submit a Johnson & Wales admissions application and an official academic transcript
Contact:
The Admissions Office of your JWU campus of choice
Scholarship Website
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By BHD Staff
October 2019