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The 50 Best Scholarships For Culinary School

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Culinary school is a unique calling for individuals who know they want to work with food at the highest levels. While this is not a traditional college degree, a culinary school can be quite prestigious and expensive.

culinary school

Luckily there is a range of scholarships available that can help to lower your financial burden.

50 of the Most Promising Culinary School Scholarships

AAC Culinary Scholarships

  • $2,500
  • AAC Culinary Scholarships are available to students majoring in either culinary or pastry arts at a post secondary college.
  • Candidates must maintain a minimum of a 2.75 GPA, major in either culinary or pastry arts or be an ACF registered apprentice.
  • ACF registered apprentices must be currently enrolled in an accredited, post-secondary educational institution majoring in either culinary or pastry arts. 
  • Must want to become a pastry chef or chef. 
  • The deadlines for scholarship applications are April 30th and October 31st.

Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) Scholarships

  • Varies
  • This scholarship is available to students who are entering Johnson & Wales University.
  • Applicants must have participated in C-CAP’s competition events, and maintain a minimum of a 2.75 GPA, and it can be renewed.
  • As the country’s largest independent culinary/hospitality scholarship program, CCAP enables students to further their education without incurring excessive loans.

Clark E. DeHaven Scholarship Trust

  • $5,000 stipends available.
  • The Clark E. DeHaven Scholarship Trust is available to students who have demonstrated interest in culinary-related fields of student and career.
  • Contenders must maintain a minimum of a 2.75 GPA. Candidates can be U.S. citizens or Canadians.
  • This is a competitive scholarship program that requires an essay submission.
  • Students must be enrolled in a program leading to an undergraduate degree in food service or a related field.

George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarship

  • $1,000 worth of scholarships available.
  • George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarships are available to students who are pursuing an education in public service or a directly related field.
  • Applicants must be residents of Oklahoma and attend a college or university in Oklahoma.
  • A scholarship recipient may be nominated by each college or university every year.
  • Students must be enrolled full-time in undergraduate programs at one of Oklahoma’s public or private colleges or universities to qualify for the scholarship.
  • In order to receive the scholarship, students need to demonstrate exceptional academic achievement through factors such as grade point averages, class rankings, national awards, scholastic achievements, honors, teacher recommendations, and be active in other extra-curricular fields. 

Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarship

  • Varies
  • This scholarship is available to students pursuing Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management.
  • Candidates must be under the age of 30 and be permanent residents of the State of Illinois.
  • You should be enrolled in a culinary or hospitality course, a college, or university that is accredited.
  • You should take a minimum of 9 credit hours per term as a full-time student or substantial part-time student.

Les Dames d’Escoffier Colorado Chapter Scholarship

  • $1,000 worth of scholarship will be awarded. 
  • This award is available to female students who are pursuing a career in a food-related industry like nutrition, dietetics, culinary, food science, hospitality and restaurant management, or beverage and fermentation. 
  • To meet eligibility requirements students must be female who is attending a school in Colorado.
  • Applications including an essay should be submitted by the end of April. 

National Candy Technologists Scholarship

  • $5,000 stipends are available to be awarded in two $2,500 installments. 
  • National Candy Technologists Scholarships are available to students who have completed their freshman year of college and are majoring in food science, chemical science, or biological science along with other related fields.
  • Applicants must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and have displayed interest in confectionery technology.
  • Applicants should be majoring in fields such as biological science, food science, chemical science, and other related areas.
  • The scholar should be enrolled in an accredited institution in North America.

Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship Fund

  • $2,000 stipends available.
  • This scholarship is available to graduating seniors from public high schools who have been nominated by their schools. Students cannot be majoring in an art-related degree or music.
  • Candidates must be from a public high school in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in Washington state. Students must also maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
  • Scholarships at NMC are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need.
  • Final applications must be submitted by April 15.

NEWH Atlantic City/Philadelphia Scholarship

  • Varies
  • This scholarship is available to students who have completed at least half of the requirements for hospitality industry-related major.
  • Contenders must be attending a college or university in Eastern Pennsylvania or Southern New Jersey and maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
  • In need of financial assistance through college for past, current, and upcoming tuition or textbooks and supplies required for the program.
  • Applicants should be enrolled in any hospitality related field like hospitality management, interior design, or culinary.
  • The student must be enrolled in a 2-year program or higher, a 4-year program, or a graduate program.
  • The requirements for application include a letter of recommendation, transcripts, and essays.

NEWH Dallas Chapter Scholarship

  • Varies
  • The NEWH Dallas Chapter Scholarship is available to students who are pursuing a career in the hospitality industry.
  • Candidates must demonstrate financial need and have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
  • Scholarship assistance is offered to eligible schools by each chapter. Such schools are usually local to the chapter. 

NEWH North Carolina Scholarship

  • Varies
  • The NEWH North Carolina Scholarship is available to food industry students who are attending an accredited higher education institution in North Carolina.
  • Applicants must have completed half of the requirements for their degree, demonstrate financial need , and maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
  • The program is focused on designers and student membership for continued growth, offering programs in hospitality design and management.

NEWH North Central Chapter Scholarship

  • Varies
  • This award is available to hospitality industry-related students attending an accredited college or university in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa or Wisconsin.
  • Candidates must demonstrate financial need, maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, and have completed half the requirements for a degree.
  • Students are mentored by the program, and thousands of dollars each year in scholarships are donated to deserving students.

NEWH Washington DC Metro Area Scholarship

  • $75,000 stipends available for scholarships.
  • This award is available to hospitality industry-related students attending an accredited higher education institution in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia or Washington DC.
  • Applicants must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need.

ABA Academic Merit Scholarship

  • $5,000 stipends available. 
  • ABA Academic Merit Scholarships are available to students who are majoring in the transportation, travel and tourism industry.
  • This academic merit-based scholarship is available for both ABA and non-ABA members.
  • To meet eligibility requirements students must have completed their first year at an accredited college or university and maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
  • You must be studying full time in order to qualify.
  • The deadline for applications will be on May 18, 2022.

WRA Education Foundation Scholarship in Culinary & Hospitality

  • Varies
  • This scholarship is available to Wisconsin residents who are pursuing a degree in the restaurant and hospitality industries.
  • Approximately $25,000 worth of scholarships are awarded each year by the WRA Education Foundation based on future plans in foodservice, academic records and recommendations. Foundation funds are provided through an endowment fund.
  • Applicants must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours and be a Wisconsin resident.
  • To qualify, you need to be in pursuit of education in fields like Culinary, Baking, Hospitality, Food Science or Family and Consumer Science related to the restaurant and hospitality industries.

WGA Mary Macey Scholarship

  • $1,500 worth of scholarship.
  • The WGA Mary Macey Scholarship is available to rising college freshman students who intend on pursuing a career in the independent sector of the grocery industry.
  • Applicants must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA, be an entering sophomore or continuing student.
  • You can major in business, food management, information technology or another focus to pursue a career in grocery retailing.
  • It is preferred, but not required, that you have experience in the grocery industry.

The Vegetarian Resource Group College Scholarship

  • $5,000 to $10,000 worth of stipends available.
  • This scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated how vegetarianism can be good for both the community and each person.
  • Candidates will be evaluated on their commitment to a vegetarian diet and lifestyle that promotes a peaceful world.
  • Candidates must be U.S. graduating high school seniors.

ABA Member Scholarships

  • $5,000 worth of scholarships available.
  • This scholarship is available to minority groups who want to pursue a career in the culinary or tourism industry.
  • Candidates must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, hae completed at least their first year of college , and be in a traditionally underrepresented group of society.
  • At least one year of service with an ABA member company (in good standing) is required at the beginning of the scholarship year.

APA Judith McManus Price Scholarship

  • Varies
  • The APA Judith McManus Price Scholarship is available to women and minority students enrolled in an approved Planning Accreditation Board with the intent to pursue careers as practicing planners in the public sector.
  • Applicants must be a women or a minority who is pursuing citizenship to the United States.
  • Students with demonstrated financial need can apply for the scholarship fund, which encourages women and minorities to pursue planning.

Catching The Dream Program

  • Scholarship award ranges from $500 to $5,000 per year.
  • This is a merit-based scholarship program.
  • The Catching The Dream Program is available to Native college students who desire to return to their communities to help.
  • Candidates must be at least a quarter or more Native American and be an enrolled member of a federally recognized U.S. tribe.
  • 95% of students who applied for the scholarships received an award.

James Beard Foundation Scholarship

  • Varies
  • This scholarship is available to US residents who are pursuing a degree in the restaurant and hospitality industries.
  • This scholarship offers cash grants applied to tuition and other related expenses.
  • Applicants must submit the necessary requirements such as an essay.

The American Express Scholarship

  • $2,000 worth of scholarships.
  • The American Express Scholarship is available to students in an undergraduate hospitality management program along with current lodging employees and their dependents.
  • Applicants must be working a minimum of 20 hours per week at an AH&LA member hotel with at least 12 months of experience or be a dependent of certain qualified employees.
  • This scholarship can be used to study at an accredited college or university in the U.S. and Canada.
  • Scholarship America administers the scholarship program, which improves access to postsecondary education by assisting corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals with the development of scholarship, tuition assistance, and other education support programs.

The Ecolab Scholarship

  • $2,000 stipends available.
  • The Ecolab Scholarship is available to undergraduate hospitality management majors in the United States who are pursuing either an associates or baccalaureate degree.
  • Candidates must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours and be a hospitality management major.

ABA Diversity Scholarship

  • $5,000 worth of scholarships available.
  • This scholarship is available to underrepresented individuals in the management and operation ranks of the transportation, travel, and tourism industries.
  • Candidates must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and completed at least one year of college.
  • To apply, you need to submit a 500-word essay about how to advance the future of tourism, travel, or hospitality industry.

IAEE Helen Brett Scholarship

  • $5,000 stipends available.
  • The IAEE Helen Brett Scholarship is available to students who are pursuing the study of exhibition and event management.
  • To meet eligibility requirements students must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need.
  • Scholarships are intended to support individuals looking to advance their careers in exhibition management by exploring the study of exhibition management. 
  • By providing financial support to college level students, the scholarship promotes the exhibitions and events industry.

IFDA Student Member Scholarship

  • The scholarship is worth $2000.
  • This scholarship is awarded to individuals studying interior design or related programs.
  • Applicants must have and have completed a minimum of four design courses and a letter of recommendation from an IFDA Professional Member is required.
  • The applicant does not have to be a citizen of the United States to apply but must attend school in the United States. 
  • All applications must be submitted in English by undergraduate or graduate students in U.S. institutions.

Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarship

  • Varies
  • This scholarship is available to full-time students who are accepted or plan on enrolling in an accredited culinary school.
  • Candidates must be under 30 years of age and be permanent residents of Illinois.
  • You should be currently enrolled or plan to enroll in an accredited culinary or hospitality school, college, or university.
  • You need to be enrolled in a minimum of 9 credit hours each term, whether you’re a full-time or substantial part-time student.
  • Anyone with majors in food service, restaurant management, or culinary can apply for the program.

JWU Lodging Management Scholarship

  • $1,000 worth of scholarship.
  • The JWU Lodging Management Scholarship is renewable and available to students who are entering a lodging management curriculum.
  • Applicants must have a history in high school with lodging management curriculum.
  • All campuses are eligible for this scholarship. 

JWU ProStart Scholarship

  • $1,000 worth of scholarship.
  • This renewable scholarship is available to incoming students who participated in a ProStart curriculum.
  • This is renewable for up to four years.
  • Applicants must have participated in a ProStart curriculum prior to being an incoming student in a higher level education.

IAEE Helen Brett Scholarship

  • $5,000 stipends available.
  • The IAEE Helen Brett Scholarship is available to students who are pursuing the study of exhibition and event management.
  • To meet eligibility requirements students must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need.
  • Competitions are held to award scholarships based on the pursuit of a degree in exhibition or event management. 

Les Dames d’Escoffier Colorado Chapter Scholarship

  • Two $1,000 worth of scholarships will be awarded.
  • This scholarship is available to women who are pursuing an education in a food-related industry.
  • Candidates must be female, attend a Colorado school, and be a U.S. citizen.
  • Recipients will be notified in May. 

Letitia B. Carter Scholarship

  • Varies
  • The Letitia B. Carter Scholarship is available to Maryland students who are pursuing a hospitality-related education.
  • Applicants must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, students must have 400 hours of documented industry experience, and teachers must have a minimum of 1,500 hours of documented industry experience.
  • Maryland residents, high school seniors or college students, or hospitality industry professionals who teach high school, college or corporate courses are eligible to apply.

Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship Fun

  • $2,000 worth of scholarships.
  • The Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship Fund is available to graduating seniors in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in Washington state.
  • Candidates must be U.S. citizens and from Washington State along with maintaining a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. 
  • These high schools are the only places where you can apply for the scholarship, and each school nominates candidates each year.
  • Washington state offers four-year scholarships.

ABA Member Scholarships

  • $5,000 worth of scholarships available.
  • This scholarship is available to minority groups who want to pursue a career in the culinary or tourism industry.
  • Members of the American Bus Association may apply for the ABA Member scholarships if they are full-time employees or dependents of full-time employees of ABA member companies.
  • Candidates must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, have completed at least their first year of college, and be in a traditionally underrepresented group of society.

Catching The Dream Program

  • $5,000 stipends available.
  • The Catching The Dream Program is available to Native college students who desire to return to their communities to help.
  • Candidates must be at least a quarter or more Native American and be an enrolled member of a federally recognized U.S. tribe.
  • This award is offered three times per year.
  • You should be a full time student pursuing a bachelor’s degree at an accredited university.

Gourmet Foods International Culinary Scholarship

  • $2,500 stipends available.
  • The scholarship is open to high school seniors or undergraduate students enrolled in an accredited culinary or hospitality program in Georgia with a minimum 2.75 grade point average.
  • Students pursuing culinary or food science careers can apply for this scholarship.
  • If you are interested in applying, please describe an idea, concept, or topic related to culinary arts that interests you.

NEWH Las Vegas Chapter Scholarship

  • Varies
  • NEWH Las Vegas Chapter Scholarships are available to hospitality industry students who are enrolled in a college or university in Nevada or Utah.
  • To meet eligibility requirements students must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and have completed half the requirements for their degree or certification.

NEWH North Carolina Scholarship

  • Varies
  • NEWH North Carolina Scholarships are available to students who are pursuing a career in the hospitality industry and are currently both enrolled and attending a college or university in North Carolina.
  • To meet eligibility requirements students must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and have completed half the requirements for their degree or certification.

NEWH North Central Chapter Scholarship

  • Varies
  • NEWH North Central Chapter Scholarships are available to hospitality industry students who are enrolled in a college or university in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa or Wisconsin.
  • Applicants must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and have completed half the requirements for their degree or certification.

NEWH Women Leaders Scholarship

  • $5,000 worth of awards available.
  • This scholarship is available to female students who are pursuing a career in the hospitality industry, mainly in hospitality management.
  • To meet eligibility requirements students must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and be a woman.
  • You need to submit your transcript, letters of recommendation, and an essay. 

Chef John Patrick Thompson Culinary Arts Scholarship

  • $1,500 worth of scholarship will be awarded. 
  • Students interested in a career in the culinary arts are eligible for this scholarship.
  • Any high school senior planning on attending culinary school or pursuing a culinary-related degree can apply for this scholarship.
  • In an essay, you can write about yourself, your career objectives, and how you hope to impact your community through your career.

Letitia B. Carter Scholarship

  • Varies
  • The Letitia B. Carter Scholarship is available to Maryland students who are pursuing a hospitality-related education.
  • You can be currently a high school senior or a college student when applying for this scholarship.
  • Applicants must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, students must have 400 hours documented industry experience, and teachers must have a minimum of 1,500 hours documented industry experience.

NEWH Washington DC Metro Area Scholarship

  • Up to $75,000 stipends available.
  • This award is available to hospitality industry-related students attending an accredited higher education institution in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia or Washington DC.
  • Applicants must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need.

National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarships

  • $2,500 to $10,000 worth of stipends to be awarded to winners.
  • Applicants should be a citizen of the United States or a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
  • Accepted or enrolled in a postsecondary institution, college, or university as a full-time or part-time student in the coming academic year
  • Majoring in a program related to restaurant management or foodservice.
  • Applicants should plan to enroll during the next two terms.

R.W. “Bob” Holden Scholarship

  • Varies
  • This scholarship is available to U.S. students who are also a Hawaii resident and are pursuing a career in hotel management.
  • Applicants must be a full-time junior or senior majoring in hotel management and must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.

Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship

  • $5,000 worth of scholarships available.
  • This scholarship is available to undergraduate women who are pursuing transportation or a related field.
  • To meet eligibility requirements students must graduated from an Oregon or southwest Washington high school or currently enrolled in a college in Oregon or southwest Washington and must also maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.

The American Express Scholarship

  • $2,000 stipends available.
  • The American Express Scholarship is available to undergraduate hospitality management students and current lodging employees along with their dependents.
  • Candidates must either be working a minimum of 20 hours per week at an AH&LA member hotel or be a dependent of a qualified employee.
  • Undergraduate hospitality management students must be enrolled part-time or full-time at a U.S. college or university.

ACFEF Scholarship

  • Varies
  • Students interested in pursuing culinary, pastry, or foodservice-related careers may apply for scholarships from the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF).
  • Scholars selected for scholarships must be well-rounded, passionate about culinary arts, and must have excellent academic records.
  • To qualify, students should submit an essay and must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

Les Dames d’Escoffier Colorado Chapter Scholarship

  • 2 awards will be given with $1,000 worth of scholarships.
  • This scholarship is available to women who are pursuing an education in a food-related industry.
  • Candidates must be female, attend a Colorado school, and be a U.S. citizen.

GoFoodservice Scholarship

  • $500 worth of scholarship is available.
  • Students in high school or currently enrolled in college can apply for this scholarship.
  • Students may enroll as full-time or part-time students in culinary arts or hospitality management programs.
Best Scholarships For Culinary Schools - fact

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Malcolm Peralty
Chief Editor