The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation sponsors several scholarship programs for undergraduate culinary students. The Academic Scholarship for Undergraduates provides $2,500 in funding to outstanding undergraduates who are enrolled full-time in a culinary arts program and have completed at least one semester of study. The Coca-Cola Salute to Excellence Scholarship is a $5,000 award for outstanding culinary students nominated by a member of their school's faculty. The Al Schuman Ecolab Undergraduate Entrepreneurial Scholarship provides awards of up to $7,500 to culinary students who have an interest in an entrepreneurial role in the food-service industry.
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
175 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60604
800-765-2122
nraef.org
The California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarship Program offers tuition funding to graduating California high school seniors and undergraduates who are attending or planning to attend an accredited culinary program. Applicants must have previous experience working in the restaurant or hospitality industry and be recommended by at least one of their former employers. All applications must be submitted online and individual award amounts vary.
CRAEF Scholarship Program
621 Capitol Mall, Suite 2000
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-447-5793
calrest.org
The Chefs4Students Culinary Grants Program provides grants of up to $1,000 to deserving students who are enrolled in an accredited school in the U.S. Applicants must be able to demonstrate academic achievement, strong personal character and financial need, and to submit an essay outlining their educational and career goals. Grants are paid directly to the recipient's school and may be used for tuition only.
Chefs4Students.org
1360 Indian Trails #13
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
chefs4students.org
The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) offers several merit-based scholarships for outstanding culinary arts students. The CIA Cream of the Crop Scholarship provides up to $20,000 in scholarship funding to culinary students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and strong leadership skills. The M.F.K. Fisher Scholarship is a $2,000 award available to culinary students interested in becoming food writers. First-Generation Inner-City Scholarships are available to culinary students who were educated in a metropolitan setting whose parents did not graduate from college. These awards are based on academic merit and financial need, and individual amounts vary.
The Culinary Institute of America
1946 Campus Drive
Hyde Park, NY 12538
845-451-1243
ciachef.edu