Restaurant and Hospitality Scholarships by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
Students interested in careers in the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industry can apply for several scholarships offered through the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). These scholarships are designed to support students who want to build professional careers in culinary arts, hospitality management, and foodservice operations.
Through its scholarship programs and partnerships with industry organizations, the NRAEF helps students pursue education and training that prepares them for leadership roles in the hospitality and restaurant industry.
Degree Level
These scholarships are available for students pursuing:
Undergraduate degrees
Associate degrees
Culinary school or hospitality training programs
Applicants must be enrolled in or planning to enroll in an accredited institution that offers hospitality or foodservice-related programs.
Available Subjects
Students applying for these scholarships must be pursuing a major related to:
Culinary Arts
Hospitality Management
Restaurant Management
Foodservice Management
Hotel and Hospitality Studies
Related hospitality or restaurant industry programs
Benefits
Available Scholarships
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation offers several scholarships with different eligibility criteria.
Chicago Foodservice Marketing Club Educational Scholarship
The Chicago Foodservice Marketing Club Educational Scholarship is designed for students who are residents of Illinois and attending a college or university within the state.
This scholarship is funded by the Chicago Foodservice Marketing Club, an organization made up of professionals from the foodservice industry including manufacturers, distributors, marketing agencies, and consultants.
Award Amount: $2,500
Ted J. Balesteri & Bert P. Cutino Scholarship
This scholarship supports students pursuing education and careers in hospitality. Preference is given to:
Students from Monterey County, California
Students from the state of California
Applicants from other regions of the United States if positions remain available
Employees of the Monterey Peninsula Country Club may also apply.
Award Amount: Varies
Carol Chorbajian Scholarship Fund
The Carol Chorbajian Scholarship Fund supports students studying restaurant or hospitality-related majors. Preference is given to:
Students from Monterey County
Students from California or those attending a college in California
If there are not enough qualified applicants meeting these criteria, recipients may be selected from the general applicant pool.
Award Amount: $2,500
David Armanasco Scholarship
This scholarship is available for students pursuing restaurant, foodservice, or hospitality degrees. Selection preference is given in the following order:
Students from Monterey County
Students from the state of California
Applicants from other parts of the United States
Award Amount: $2,500
Monterey County Hospitality Association Scholarship
The Monterey County Hospitality Association Scholarship supports students pursuing careers in hospitality or foodservice industries. Preference is given to students from Monterey County, followed by applicants from California.
Award Amount: $2,500
DiRoNA Undergraduate Scholarship
The DiRoNA Undergraduate Scholarship was established by Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA) to encourage students to pursue careers in culinary arts and restaurant management.
Since its creation, the scholarship has supported more than 125 students pursuing careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
Award Amount: $2,500
Canadian citizens are also eligible to apply for this scholarship.
Career Opportunities in Hospitality
Students receiving these scholarships can pursue careers in areas such as:
Restaurant management
Culinary arts
Foodservice operations
Hospitality leadership
Hotel management
Event and tourism management
The hospitality and restaurant industry offers diverse opportunities for individuals passionate about service, culinary creativity, and business management.
Eligible Nationalities
Most scholarships are open to students studying in the United States, while some may also allow Canadian citizens to apply, depending on the specific scholarship requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
Although specific requirements may vary by scholarship, general eligibility criteria include:
Must be pursuing a degree related to restaurant, foodservice, or hospitality management
Must be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited institution
Must demonstrate interest in building a career in the hospitality industry
Must meet residency or regional requirements for certain scholarships
Application Procedure
Students interested in these scholarships should follow these steps:
Choose the Relevant Scholarship
Review the eligibility requirements and residency conditions.Prepare Required Documents
Applicants may need to submit academic transcripts, proof of enrollment, and supporting materials.Submit the Scholarship Application
Applications must be submitted through the official scholarship portal of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.Selection and Award Notification
Scholarship recipients are selected based on academic performance, career goals, and alignment with the hospitality industry.
