As the hospitality industry continues to grow and evolve, the demand for skilled and educated professionals in this field is higher than ever. However, pursuing a degree in hospitality management can be costly, making it difficult for many students to achieve their academic and career goals. Fortunately, there are numerous scholarships available specifically for hospitality management students. In this article, we will highlight 10 of the most lucrative and prestigious scholarships that can help make your dream of a career in hospitality management a reality.
NEWH BrandED Scholarship – $7,500
The NEWH BrandED Scholarship awards $7,500 to hospitality management students. Applicants must be actively enrolled in a two-year, four-year, or graduate program, meet a minimum overall GPA requirement of 3.0 (or 83-86% equivalent), and demonstrate financial need. Scholarship recipients must be able to attend the awards event in NYC with paid airfare/lodging provided.
NEWH Fabric Innovations Legacy Scholarship – $10,000
The NEWH Fabric Innovations Legacy Scholarship, sponsored by Fabric Innovations, awards $10,000 to hospitality management or interior design students attending college in Florida or at Cornell or New York University. Applicants must be actively enrolled in a two-year, four-year, or graduate program, meet a minimum overall GPA requirement of 3.0 (or 83-86% equivalent), and demonstrate financial need. Scholarship recipients must be able to attend the awards event in NYC with paid airfare/lodging provided.
NEWH Women Leaders Scholarship – $5,000
The NEWH Women Leaders Scholarship, sponsored by Boutique Design Group, awards $5,000 to female hospitality management students. Applicants must be actively enrolled in a two-year, four-year, or graduate program, meet a minimum overall GPA requirement of 3.0 (or 83-86% equivalent), and demonstrate financial need. Scholarship recipients must be able to attend the awards event in NYC with paid airfare/lodging provided.
NEWH Los Angeles Founding Chapter Scholarship – Up to $25,000
The NEWH Los Angeles Founding Chapter Scholarship is annually awarded to LA-based students pursuing a major and career objective within the hospitality industry. Applicants must be actively enrolled in a two-year, four-year, or graduate program in Los Angeles, Southern California, and zip codes 900-935. Additionally, applicants must meet a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent) and demonstrate financial need.
American Express Scholarship – $2,000 (BA full-time), $1,000 (BA part-time, Associate’s full-time), $500 (Associate’s part-time)
Offered by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) Foundation, the American Express Scholarship was established by American Express in 1994 to support current lodging employees and their dependents. Applicants must be enrolled, full-time or part-time, in a U.S. college or university, and be either (a) working a minimum of 20 hours per week at an AHLA member hotel with at least 12 months’ hotel experience or (b) be a dependent of a qualified employee and have past employment in some capacity in the hospitality industry. Letters of recommendation are not required.
Ecolab Scholarship – $2,000 (BA), $1,000 (Associate’s)
Offered by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) Foundation, the Ecolab Scholarship was established by Ecolab in 1996 to support the development of future leaders in the lodging industry. Applicants must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours for both the upcoming fall and spring semesters, and be pursuing an undergraduate hospitality management major (associate’s or baccalaureate) at a U.S. college or university. Letters of recommendation are not required.
Hyatt Hotels Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students – $3,000
Offered by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) Foundation, the Hyatt Hotels Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students is a scholarship program established by Hyatt in 1988 to provide financial aid to minority students pursuing a degree in hotel management. Applicants must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours for the upcoming fall and spring semesters, or just the fall semester if graduating this December, be pursuing a baccalaureate hospitality management major at a U.S. college or university, be at least a junior for the upcoming fall semester, be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident, and be a minority student (African-American, Hispanic, Native American/Alaskan, and Asian/Pacific Islander).
Incoming Freshman Scholarship – $4,000 (BA), $2,000 (Associate’s)
Offered by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) Foundation, the Incoming Freshman Scholarship was created to encourage enrollment in hospitality-related undergraduate programs and attract more students to the lodging industry. The program is funded by the PepsiCo Foundation Scholarship Fund, proceeds from the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), and scholarship monies set aside from the Foundation’s New Century Fund Campaign. Applicants must be an incoming freshman for the upcoming fall semester (i.e., a student who has never been enrolled in a college or university), be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours for the upcoming fall and spring semesters, be pursuing an undergraduate hospitality management major at a U.S. college or university (associate’s or bachelor’s degree), meet a minimum overall GPA of 2.0, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident.
Opening Doors to Opportunity Scholarship – $7,500 (BA full-time), $3,750 (BA fall only), $3,000 (Associate’s full-time), $1,500 (Associate’s fall only)
Offered by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) Foundation, the Opening Doors to Opportunity Scholarship was created to support undergraduate hospitality students. Applicants must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours for the upcoming fall and spring semesters, or just the fall semester if graduating this December, be pursuing an undergraduate hospitality management major at a U.S. college or university, meet a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident.
IHLAEF Scholarships – $1,000-$4,000
The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (IHLAEF) offers a scholarship for Illinois students who are pursuing hospitality management degrees. Applicants must be a permanent resident of Illinois and a U.S. citizen OR a permanent U.S. resident for at least 12 months on the date of application; be a current undergraduate student enrolled full-time (12 credit hours or more), an undergraduate student enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per semester in an accredited college or university hotel and/or hospitality management degree granting program in the U.S. and are also employed a minimum of 20 hours per week in the hospitality industry, or a high school senior or graduate who has been accepted in an accredited college or university hotel and/or hospitality management degree granting program in the U.S.; and have a minimum GPA of at least 2.5/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (C+).
In conclusion, the journey to finding the perfect scholarship doesn’t have to be daunting. Whether you’re just beginning your search or looking to expand your options, our comprehensive scholarship directory offers a wide range of opportunities catering to diverse academic interests and backgrounds. For a more personalized approach, consider leveraging the power of TUN AI, our innovative tool designed to match you with scholarships uniquely suited to your profile. Start exploring today and take a step closer to securing the financial support you need for your educational journey.