Whether you’re a lifelong hospitality worker looking to make it further up the career ladder, or you’re just out of high school and looking to attend a practical degree program, there are tons of opportunity for gaining a hospitality management degree without breaking the bank. First and foremost, hospitality management employees are in great demand, and many large employers are always looking for new qualified managers to join their ranks. This means that many large hospitality employers are often willing to subsidize or entirely pay for the education of their workers. On top of that, there are many scholarships that anyone can apply for. These scholarships range from those seeking highly specialized hospitality skills, to those embarking on a culinary apprenticeship or associates degree. Check out our directory of hospitality management scholarships below.
Takeaways:
- Many scholarships listed are location specific. Hospitality management scholarships specific to a given region are available for current or aspiring hospitality management students nationwide. See the NEWH Regional Scholarships for coverage of every state.
- Many listed scholarships do not have a minimum GPA requirement.
- A number of scholarships may be applied for before you are in school, particularly if you have hospitality work experience.
- Several scholarships are decided primarily based on financial need.
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Our World-Underwater Society Rolex Scholarship
$25000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
All
This scholarship is for young students (age 21-26) interested in underwater-related discplines (including recreation management). Applicants must have logged 25 dives or more in the last two years, pass a physical, be certified as a rescue diver or the equivalent, and be in high academic standing.
AH&LEF Annual Scholarship Grant Program
$6500
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelor’s
Bachelor’s
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
All
Must be a hospitality management major at a AH&LEF affiliated school. Must have 3.0 GPA and have completed 1-2 years of academic programming.
IRAEF Scholarship
$6000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Residents of Illinois
Residents of Illinois
This scholarship is for residents of Illinois under the age of 30 who are majoring in culinary, restaurant management, or food service-related fields (or attending culinary school). Senior high school students may also apply.
Hungry To Lead Scholarship
$5500
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
All
Applicants may be in undergraduate studies or seniors or high school and must be intending to study foodservice/hospitality-related disciplines. Applicants are judged on college admissions scores, GPA and leadership abilities.
Al Schuman/Ecolab Entrepreneurial Scholarship
$5500
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Attending Certain Schools
Attending Certain Schools
Must be pursuing a degree in restaurant, food-service, or hospitality-related fields and show entrepreneurial spirit. Only select colleges may apply. 3.0 GPA required.
ABA Academic Merit Scholarship
$5000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelor’s
Bachelor’s
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
All
For undergrduates who have declared a major in hospitality, tourism or related fields. Applicants judged on academic achievement, character, leadership, financial need, and commitment to advancing their field.
AH&LEF Graduate Scholarships
$5000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Master’s, Doctoral
Master’s, Doctoral
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
All
Must be a graduate student studying hospitality management, have four years experience in a hospitality role, or be studying a related subject with a bachelor’s in hospitality management. 3.0 GPA required.
Helen Brett Scholarship
$5000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelor’s
Bachelor’s
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
All
For students in four-year degree programs studying exhibition and event management. Students of hospitality management should be focusing on exhibition or event management. 3.0 GPA required.
WRA Education Foundation Scholarship in Culinary & Hospitality
$4000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
All
Applicants must be enrolled or plan to enroll at least part time in an accredited culinary or hospitality program or a culinary apprenticeship. Scholarships range in the amount granted to successful applicants.
APA Judith McManus Price Scholarship
$4000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Women or Minority Students
Women or Minority Students
Must be a woman or minority student enrolled in a Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) planning program.
ABA Member Scholarships
$2500
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate, Graduate
Undergraduate, Graduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
ABA Member Families
ABA Member Families
Applicants must be ABA members or dependents of ABA members who are undergraduate or graduate students. Minimum 3.0 GPA.
Joe Perdue Scholarship
$2500
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
All
Applicants must provide strong evidence that they are pursuing managerial careers in the private club industry, through coursework or employment. Students should be attending a four-year degree program full time and have a minumum 2.5 GPA.
ABA Diversity Scholarship
$2500
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelor’s
Bachelor’s
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Minority Students
Minority Students
Scholarship aiming to promote underrepresented groups in travel, hospitality, and tourism. Applicants judged on academic achievement, character, leadership, financial need, and commitment to advancing their field. Essay required.
The American Express Scholarship
$2000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
AH&LA Hotel Employee
AH&LA Hotel Employee
This scholarship is for lodging industry employees and their dependents. Students must be enrolled full or part-time in a hospitality management-related field of study. Additionally applicants must either be dependents of lodging industry employees with some experience in the industry, or have a minimum of 12 months experience in the industry.
Colorado Restaurant Association Education Fund Undergraduate Scholarship
$2000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
All
For students in foodservice/hospitality management programs who have demonstrated interest in the field through work experience. Must be in the second half of your program (whether associate’s or bachelor’s). 2.75 GPA required.
IFAEF Scholarship Sponsored by Choice Hotels International
$2000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
All
Must be a junior or senior in a baccelaureate program in business, hospitality or franchise management. Additionally successful applicants will be invited to IFA’s Annual Convention with a $1,500 travel stipend.
IFAEF Scholarship Sponsored by Marriott Foundation
$2000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
All
This scholarship required students be sophomores or above in a baccelaureate program in business, hospitality or franchise management. Additionally successful applicants will be invited to IFA’s Annual Convention with a $1,500 travel stipend.
IFAEF Scholarship Sponsored by the Stewart and Jane Bainum Fund of the Community Foundation
$2000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
All
This scholarship required students be sophomores or above in a baccelaureate program in business, hospitality or franchise management. Additionally successful applicants will be invited to IFA’s Annual Convention with a $1,500 travel stipend.
The Ecolab Scholarship
$2000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
All
This scholarship requires students to be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours for the next two semesters and be enrolled in a hospitality management-related discipline. Students may be enrolled in associates or baccelaureate programs.
DECA Don DeBolt Scholarship
$2000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
DECA Members
DECA Members
For students who are DECA members interested in pursuing franchising and entrepreneurship course of study. Scholarship awards are entirely merit based.
DECA Marriott International Scholarship
$2000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
DECA Members
DECA Members
This scholarship is for DECA members with hospitality experience or interest. Scholarship awards are entirely merit based.
Hyatt Hotels Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students
$2000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelor’s
Bachelor’s
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Minority Students
Minority Students
This scholarship is for full-time minority students in their junior year or later of a baccelaureate degree. Applicants are judged with a holistic approach including recommendations, experience, academic scores, etc.
Letitia B. Carter Scholarship
$2000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
High School, Undergraduate
High School, Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Residents of Maryland
Residents of Maryland
This scholarship is available to high school students, undergraduates, and corporate instructors who are citizens of the state of Maryland and pursuing hospitality-related coursework.
Les Dames d’Escoffier Colorado Chapter Scholarship
$1000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Female Students in Colorado
Female Students in Colorado
This scholarship is available to female applicants or students of food-related industry degree programs at trade schools, culinary schools, community colleges, or universities. Applicants must have 1-2 years of experience in their chosen future field.
R.W. “Bob” Holden Scholarship
$1000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Bachelor’s
Bachelor’s
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Hawaii Residents
Hawaii Residents
This scholarship is for residents of Hawaii who are juniors or seniors at US colleges studying hotel management. 3.0 GPA required.
JWU Lodging Management Scholarship
$1000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
JWU Students
JWU Students
This scholarship is available to students pursuing the lodging management curriculum and who have participated in a lodging management event hosted by Johnson and Wales University at a national conference . The scholarship is available for up to four years.
The Russ Casey / Maine Restaurant Associates Scholarship Fund
$1000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Maine Students
Maine Students
Applicants must be residents of or attending school in Maine. Preference is given to those obtaining degrees in culinary arts, restaurant, hotel, or hospitality management and planning on working in a related industry.
Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Foundation Scholarships
$1000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate, Graduate
Undergraduate, Graduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
Studying in Ohio
Studying in Ohio
The John McComb Scholarship is for students studying recreation management or related fields at an Ohio college or university. Applicants must have completed more than 30 hours of their program and have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
AH&LEF American Express Scholarship
$500-$2,000
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
AHLA Employee or Child
AHLA Employee or Child
Must be attending an undergraduate hospitality management degree program and be an employee at an AHLA member hotel or the child of an employee. Award amounts vary based on level of study and enrollment status.
South Dakota Retailers Association Jerry Wheeler Scholarship Program
$500-$1200
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
South Dakota Students
South Dakota Students
This scholarship is for those who graduated high school in South Dakota or are currently attending school in South Dakota and are studying for a career in retailing. Applicants must have completed 24 credit hours of coursework or have prior experience in retailing.
NEWH Regional Scholarships
$Varies
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
All
This series of scholarships are available to students within the region of a local NEWH chapter. Applicants must show eligible outstanding debt for schooling costs and have hospitality management career objectives.
Tourism Cares Academic Scholarships
$Varies
EDUCATION LEVELS OFFERED AT:
Undergraduate, Graduate
Undergraduate, Graduate
DEMOGRAPHICS AVAILABLE FOR:
All
All
This highly competitive scholarship is for full or part time students pursuing travel, tourism, or hospitality related programs of study. The awards are available to those pursuing associates, bachelor’s or master’s level coursework. Up to $62,000 in scholarships offered annually.