Just like other majors, there are hospitality management scholarships that may be available to qualified students who are studying hospitality or hotel management and other hospitality management related careers. Eligible students who need financially assistance may apply for these hotel management scholarships in hopes of being awarded aid to be used for college-related costs.
AH&LEF Incoming Freshman Scholarship: The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) established a scholarship specifically for students who are planning on studying in a hospitality-related undergraduate program. Eligible students are those who are enrolled for at least 12 credit hours the upcoming fall semester and spring semesters and had a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in high school.
American Express Scholarship: This undergraduate hospitality management scholarship is funded by American Express and is for current lodging employees at an American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) member hotel who have had at least 12 months of hotel experience. Another eligibility requirement is that the applicant must be enrolled full-time or part-time in an undergraduate hospitality management program at a college or university in the U.S. Scholarship award amounts are between $500 and $2,000 depending on what degree level the student is working toward and whether they work full-time or part-time.
Ecolab Scholarship: This undergraduate hospitality management scholarship awards $1,000 to associate’s degree student who is chosen and $2,000 to the bachelor’s degree student who is chosen. Applicants must be enrolled as an undergraduate hospitality management major in the U.S. for at least 12 credit hours for both upcoming fall and spring semesters (when applying).
Hyatt Hotels Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students: Minority students who are pursuing a degree in hotel management may be eligible for this hotel management scholarship, established in 1988 by Hyatt Hotels. Among other qualifications, applicants for this scholarship must be junior-level bachelor’s degree students in a hospitality management major and who are from African-American, Hispanic, Native American/Alaskan, and Asian/Pacific Islander nationality. The students who are chosen are awarded $2,000 and a plaque.
Worthy Goal Scholarship: This food services scholarship is awarded by the International Food Services Executives Association (IFSEA) is open to students enrolled or accepted as full-time students in a food service-related major at a two or four year college or university. Students who are chosen are awarded a scholarship ranging between $250 to $1,500 to help with tuition costs.
A.J. Grisanti Memorial Scholarship Fund: This scholarship is for students pursuing their education in culinary/food service, restaurant, or hospitality related majors. First preference is given to students who are attending a school in Kentucky, followed by any culinary arts students at Johnson & Wales University or the Culinary Institute of America, followed by Hotel and Restaurant Administration majors at Indiana University- Purdue and Bloomington, Indianapolis Vocational Technical College, University of Denver, Wake Technical College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Southeast Community College, Kendall College or College of DuPage. Chosen students are awarded $2,500.
Be sure to research the scholarships you are interested in applying for to make sure you meet all qualifications. Some scholarship funds require you to submit an original essay or financial information, so be sure to finish your writing and organizing of these materials well before the deadline. Funding your college aspirations of being a hospitality management student may not be an unattainable goal, but you’ll need to work hard to pursue your degree!