Hospitality Scholarships

From the joy of savoring a delicious meal to the memories of staying at a five-star hotel, the hospitality industry makes life richer and better for us all. Mastering the crafts that create these experiences comes at no small price. The cost of education can be a significant barrier for many students who dream of pursuing a career in the hospitality industry. Thankfully, many scholarship opportunities are available to help aspiring hospitality professionals achieve their goals. We will explore some of the best hospitality industry scholarships.

WebstaurantStore Scholarships

WebstaurantStore scholarships are an excellent opportunity for students majoring in culinary arts, hospitality management, or a closely related field. As part of our commitment to supporting hospitality professionals, we offer two $5,000 grants to eligible students to help further their education. One of the standout features of our scholarships is they are open to students at various stages of their educational journey. Whether you've already begun your secondary education or you're in the exciting early stages of choosing the right program, you can still apply for our scholarships. We recognize the value of non-traditional educational paths and believe everyone should have equal access to opportunities. As such, our scholarships are open to students who achieved their diplomas through a GED program or non-traditional learning environment.

• The WebstaurantStore Hospitality Scholarship: awards a $5,000 grant to assist one bright student each year in pursuing their dream of becoming a chef, restaurant owner, or hospitality professional. It is open to any student, regardless of ethnicity, race, or background.
• WebstaurantStore Diversity Scholarship: awards a $5,000 grant to an exemplary ethnic minority student seeking an education in the hospitality industry. We believe in fostering diversity and inclusion, and this scholarship aims to support students from underrepresented backgrounds.

James Beard Foundation Scholarships

The James Beard Foundation, named after the renowned American chef and food writer James Beard, is a non-profit organization that celebrates, nurtures, and honors America's diverse culinary heritage. Established in 1986, the foundation is committed to providing resources, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities to aspiring chefs and culinary professionals. Recipients of these scholarships gain access to a vast network of industry leaders who can provide guidance and support throughout their culinary journey. Many scholarship recipients get to participate in exclusive events, workshops, and culinary experiences organized by the James Beard Foundation.

By offering these scholarships, the James Beard Foundation aims to foster diversity, innovation, and excellence in the culinary industry. Through financial support and mentorship, the foundation empowers the next generation of culinary professionals to make a lasting impact on the culinary world. The James Beard Foundation offers three types of awards:

• Scholarships: Their scholarships are cash grants that apply to tuition.
• Tuition Waivers: Certain educational institutions offer tuition waivers in partnership with the James Beard Foundation. The waiver may be for one full year or additional years of training.
• Work Study Grants: The Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study program offers grants to working culinary professionals.

C-CAP Scholarships

Founded in 1990, the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) is a workforce development nonprofit that provides culinary and life skills to over 20,000 middle and high school students annually. C-CAP's scholarship program is the largest independent culinary/hospitality scholarship program in the country. They partner with 36 post-secondary educational institutions to help students further their education and training in culinary arts and hospitality management without taking on insurmountable debt. By partnering with reputable institutions, C-CAP provides scholarship recipients access to high-quality education and industry-specific training.

The C-CAP recognizes the importance of providing financial support to talented individuals who may not have the means to pursue higher education in the culinary arts. Each institution they partner with offers a different level of scholarship. They have several partners who offer full-tuition scholarships, including the New School of Cooking, the Institute of Culinary Education, The Culinary Institute of America, and the International Culinary Center.

Les Dames d’Escoffier Scholarships

Founded in 1976, Les Dames d’Escoffier supports women in the culinary arts and hospitality industry. Les Dames d’Escoffier (LDNY) has 44 chapters in the USA, Canada, Mexico, France, Italy, and the UK. One of the key focuses of Les Dames d’Escoffier is advocating against sexual harassment and other problems women face in the culinary arts and hospitality industry. The organization believes in creating a safe and inclusive environment for women to thrive and succeed in their careers. By raising awareness and providing resources, Les Dames d’Escoffier aims to combat these issues and create positive change within the industry.

In addition to advocacy, Les Dames d’Escoffier provides financial support to women who aspire to pursue careers in the culinary arts. Since 1977, the organization has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to over 1,000 recipients. These scholarships help women overcome financial barriers and pursue their dreams in the culinary arts and hospitality industry. LDNY’s Mentoring Program is another valuable resource provided by Les Dames d’Escoffier. After they award a scholarship, the Mentoring Committee reviews and matches each recipient to a Dame in her chosen career field. This one-on-one mentoring relationship allows recipients to receive guidance, support, and advice from experienced professionals.

American Culinary Federation Scholarships

Established in 1929, the American Culinary Federation (ACF) is a premier professional chefs’ organization with more than 14,000 members spread across over 170 chapters nationwide. One of the key offerings of the ACF is its regional and national events, which provide professionals in the culinary industry with opportunities to network, learn from industry experts, and stay updated with the latest trends and techniques. Additionally, the ACF offers certifications that validate the skills and knowledge of culinary professionals, helping them stand out in a competitive industry.

To further support culinary professionals in their educational pursuits, the ACF collaborates with the American Academy of Chefs (AAC) to offer scholarships through the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation. These scholarships are available for apprenticeship programs, certificate programs, and post-secondary degree programs.

• Apprenticeship Program Scholarships: the ACF Education Foundation offers scholarships of up to $1,500.
• Certificate Program Scholarships: the ACF Education Foundation offers scholarships of up to $1,500 for those pursuing a certificate program.
• Post-Secondary Degree Scholarships: The ACF Education Foundation offers scholarships of up to $2,500 for those pursuing a post-secondary degree.

The National Restaurant Association Scholarships

The National Restaurant Association is a professional organization that caters to restaurant owners and managers. It offers various aids and programs that advance the careers of hospitality professionals.

• The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant & Hospitality Leadership Center: They partnered with the Department of Labor (DOL) to establish the first nationally recognized and credentialed apprenticeship program in the hospitality industry. This program is best suited for businesses that don’t have a formal employee training program or are seeking supplemental, hands-on guidance and mentorship to add to their current training.
• HOPES: This program provides employment opportunities to individuals formerly involved in the justice system. By offering training and support, HOPES helps these individuals break the cycle of incarceration and find meaningful employment in the hospitality industry.
• ProStart®: This is a nationwide, two-year high school program. ProStart® reaches approximately 130,000 students in over 1,700 high schools across 50 states, Guam, and the District of Columbia. It offers a comprehensive curriculum covering a variety of topics, from culinary techniques to management skills. ProStart® provides students with real-life experience opportunities, such as internships and competitions, allowing them to build practical skills that will benefit them in their future careers.

Food Dreams Scholarships

The Food Dreams Scholarship is a program offered by a non-profit organization that is dedicated to bridging the gap between underprivileged students and the working culinary community. Founded in 2016, this organization aims to help these students access culinary education and provide them with various externships, mentorships, and career opportunities.

One of the key offerings of the Food Dreams Scholarship is its availability at some of the finest culinary schools in America. Students who are accepted into this program have the chance to attend prestigious culinary institutions such as the Culinary Institute of America and the Institute of Culinary Education. The Food Dreams Scholarship provides an extensive post-graduate mentorship program. Recipients will leave school and have guaranteed entry-level positions in one of Jean-Georges' restaurants worldwide, gaining invaluable hands-on experience and learning from some of the best in the industry.

AHLA Foundation Scholarships

The AHLA Foundation exists to help the hotel industry recruit, retain, and advance its employees. They are accomplishing this goal through scholarship initiatives and career development programs. The AHLA Foundation spends over a million dollars on academic scholarships annually. They offer two types of scholarships: self-nominated and school-nominated:

• Self-Nominated Scholarships: Any student currently enrolled in a US college or university and seeking a hospitality-related degree can apply directly to AHLA to access over $500,000 in scholarships. The following scholarships are available to any hospitality student: Hyatt Minority, American Express, Ecolab, Incoming Freshman, Banks Brown Graduate, and Opening Doors to Opportunity Scholarships.
• School-Nominated Scholarships: Schools affiliated with the AHLA foundation select students to receive AHLA’s Academic Scholarship Program, Community College Scholarship Program, Arthur J. Packard, and Rama Scholarships. Any student nominated by their school is encouraged to also apply for a self-nominated scholarship through the AHLA foundation.

Yum-O! Scholarships

Launched in 2006, Yum-o! is a nonprofit organization by renowned chef and television personality Rachael Ray. It's dedicated to empowering kids and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking. Yum-o! has three main initiatives: cook, feed, and fund. The 'fund' initiative helps aspiring culinary professionals reach their food-related career goals.

Yum-o! partners with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to fund scholarships for students enrolling in restaurant or food service-related programs. This financial support enables students to pursue their passion for the culinary arts and turn their dreams into reality. To be eligible for a Yum-o! scholarship, applicants must be a high school senior, GED graduate, ProStart student, or first-time freshman enrolling in a restaurant or food service-related program.

The Trotter Project Scholarships

The Trotter Project scholarships provide opportunities for potential culinary arts students, hospitality management students, and baking/pastry arts students to receive financial support for their education. With the financial support provided by The Trotter Project Scholarships, students can focus on honing their skills, expanding their knowledge, and making meaningful contributions to the culinary and hospitality industries. These scholarships recognize the talent and dedication of deserving students and serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of Chef Charlie Trotter and his commitment to excellence in the culinary arts.

• The Charlie Trotter Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship: This scholarship offers deserving culinary arts and baking/pastry students attending any accredited college or university in the United States up to $10,000 to follow in the footsteps of one of the industry's most iconic figures. Chef Charlie Trotter was known for his innovative approach to cooking and his dedication to pushing the boundaries of culinary excellence.
• The Homaro Cantu Scholarship: Hospitality management students may also be recognized through The Trotter Project. Named in honor of The Trotter Project's founding president, Homaro Cantu, this scholarship provides up to $10,000 in financial assistance to hospitality management students. The only requirement to apply is attending an accredited college or university in the U.S.

Whether you're trying to decide whether you should apply to culinary school or you're midway through your program, use this list of hospitality scholarships to gain valuable financial assistance. Debt doesn't have to be part of pursuing your dreams. There are multiple organizations and opportunities to help you complete your education and provide post-graduate mentorship.