Top 20 Culinary Scholarships in September 2023

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year.

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

Are you aspiring to a career in the culinary arts? If so, you might want to check out the ACFEF Scholarships! Each cycle, the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF) offers $2,500 scholarships to multiple students interested in pursuing culinary, pastry, or food service-related careers. The scholarship selection committee looks for well-rounded applicants with a passion for the culinary arts. In addition, they look for students who give back to their communities. Eligible volunteering activities include helping at community charity events, food pantries, and/or culinary clubs. Students must be involved with ACFEF for at least one full year before applying for their Scholarships. If you’re passionate about the culinary arts, we encourage you to apply! The scholarships are offered biannually, with deadlines on April 30 and October 31 of each year.

If you're interested in a career in the culinary industry, easily financing your culinary studies will be more than just a dream with the Food Dreams Scholarship! The Food Dreams Scholarship is open to students who have graduated high school (or an international equivalent) and those older. The scholarship is funded by Food Dreams (founded by the renowned chef Jean-Georges), a nonprofit foundation established in 2016. Food Dreams aims to help aspiring chefs throughout the world gain access to culinary education and career opportunities in the restaurant industry that would otherwise be out of reach. In addition to scholarships to prestigious institutes such as the Culinary Institute of America and the Institute of Culinary Education, Food Dreams also provides post-graduate mentorship programs in Jean-Georges’ restaurants around the world.

Are you a college student passionate about beef advocacy? If so, consider applying for the College Beef Advocacy Program! Each year, the year-long program selects multiple winners to join the program and become experienced in beef advocacy by providing top-notch training, access to educational resources, and unique experiences. At the end of their service, members will receive $2,000 each. The scholarship is provided by American National CattleWomen, Inc., an organization dedicated to beef advocacy and assisting the next generation of beef advocates. If you wish to advocate for the beef industry, we encourage you to apply for the College Beef Advocacy Program!

Are you a high school senior or currently enrolled college student looking to enter the Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management fields? If so, check out the GoFoodservice Scholarship! This scholarship is open to high school seniors who plan to enroll in college at the start of the next school year, or all students who are currently enrolled in a Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management program. The scholarship is funded by GoFoodservice, an online dealer of quality restaurant equipment & restaurant supplies. Applicants have a chance of winning $500 to go towards their educational expenses. If you’re passionate about food and lessening your college debt burden, we encourage you to apply to the GoFoodservice scholarship!

The John Kitt Memorial Scholarship is funded by the American Association of Candy Technologists, an organization that is dedicated to the advancement of the confectionery industry. Each year, their John Kitt Memorial Scholarship awards $5,000 to one (1) college sophomore, junior, or senior attending a four-year U.S. university with a demonstrated interest in confectionery technology. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.

Are you a high school senior whose guardian or grandparent is a current or a former member of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU)? Better yet, are you looking to attend an undergraduate institution and need some help paying off those expenses? If so, you might want to consider applying for the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Vocational Scholarship! Each year, recipients are awarded up to $3,000 for specialized training in a variety of fields including culinary arts, medical or dental assistance, electronics, real estate, automotive, IT/computer education, cosmetology, massage therapy, and more. Eligible programs can be of a nine-month to three-year duration. If you fit the criteria, can write a great essay, and believe in the importance of unions, we encourage you to apply!

The Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarship is offered to students who are accepted or planning to apply to an accredited culinary or hospitality school, college or university whose major is or will be culinary, restaurant management, foodservice or another related program. Must be a permanent resident of Illinois enrolled as a full-time or substantial part-time student, taking a minimum of 9 credit hours each term and enrolled as a full-time or substantial part-time student, taking a minimum of 9 credit hours each term.

The South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Educational Foundation (SCRLEF) is offering scholarships on behalf of various organizations that support hospitality education. These scholarships are designed to help students who are passionate about the hospitality (restaurant, foodservice, lodging, tourism) industry and are committed to pursuing a career in it. The scholarship amounts vary each year depending on donations and local participation. To be eligible, applicants must be currently employed in the hospitality industry or enrolled in culinary arts, baking and pastry, hospitality & tourism, or related field of study at an accredited institution. Don't miss out on this opportunity to pursue your dreams and receive financial assistance toward your undergraduate or master's degree at an accredited post-secondary institution!

The California Restaurant Foundation General Scholarship awards dozens of scholarships to deserving high school seniors and undergraduate students who dream of pursuing higher education to study the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industries. Applicants must be California residents, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and be enrolled in or will be enrolled in a minimum of nine credit hours at an accredited foodservice related postsecondary for two consecutive semesters or terms starting in the fall. In addition, applicants should have restaurant or hospitality industry experience. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.

Looking to pursue a career in retail or hospitality? The South Dakota Retailers Association Scholarship Program is here to help! The program offers financial assistance to students studying in fields related to retail, including business administration, the culinary arts, Auto Mechanics, Landscape Design, Pharmacy, Photography, and more. As long as you're enrolled in a qualifying program at an accredited school and have graduated from a South Dakota high school, you're eligible to apply. Plus, if you've completed at least 24 credits from a college or university or 12 credits from a tech school or professional training institute, you're good to go. Don't have that much education under your belt? No worries - full-time work experience in lieu of the education requirement is also acceptable. Apply and take the first step towards your dream career!

The Les Dames d'Escoffier International, Colorado Chapter Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for female students in food-related fields (such as culinary, food science, dietetics, nutrition, beverage and fermentation, hospitality and restaurant management, animal science, agriculture, or family and consumer sciences) attending schools in Colorado. The scholarship is awarded based on financial need, academic performance, and personal/professional accomplishments. Don't miss out on this chance to further your education and career in the food industry!

Are you an aspiring Chef, Baker, Sommelier, Restauranter, Hospitality Manager, or Food Journalist looking to further your education? If so, you might be interested in applying for the James Beard Foundation Scholarships! The scholarships are open to culinary workers seeking an education at an accredited culinary school or program, hospitality institution, or university. The scholarships are offered by the James Beard Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to celebrate and support the people behind America’s food culture. Established in 1991, the program has not only grown in visibility and financial scope, but in the array of subjects its recipients have embraced. The Foundation's scholarships award between $2,000 and $20,000 each. Altogether, these make up the roughly $475,000 being offered by the James Beard Foundation Scholarships this year. If you are passionate about receiving a culinary education, we encourage you to apply!

The Florida PTA/PTSA Vocational/Technical Scholarship is specifically for Florida residents who wish to pursue their post-secondary education at a Vo-Tech program or institution. Applicants must submit two (2) letters of reference (one from school and one from community), a high school transcript, an official SAT and/or ACT scores report, and an essay about how PTA can help support the applicant's local community. If you're a Florida resident looking to attend a Vocational/Technical school after high school graduation, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.

Are you pursuing a degree related to the restaurant industry? If so, you might consider applying for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarships! These scholarships are open to undergraduate students interested in the culinary arts. These scholarships are awarded by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, which has provided merit-based scholarships for undergraduate students pursuing degrees related to the restaurant industry since 1987. If you’re a student currently enrolled or planning to major in a culinary arts program, consider applying for one of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarships!

The International Foodservice Editorial Council Communications Scholarship is a prestigious award for students who excel in both the fields of food/foodservice and communication arts. Eligible candidates must be in good standing in a degree-granting program at a post-secondary institution. This scholarship is a great opportunity for those who are passionate about the food industry and have a talent for effective communication. Apply now to take your career to the next level!

The AHLA Foundation Academic Scholarship is the largest program offered by the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Foundation. It's co-administered by a group of universities and colleges affiliated with the AHLA Foundation. The program awards scholarships valued up to $7,500 to students enrolled in hospitality-related bachelor's degree programs at colleges and universities across the US. A list of affiliated schools can be found on the scholarship site. To qualify, applicants must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 (2.0 if receiving Conrad Hilton Funds), be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and have completed 1-2 years of school depending on the program. The scholarship committee reviews financial need, GPA, extracurricular activities, honors and awards, work experience (including hospitality work experience), personal attributes, and responses to essay questions. If applying for a specific named scholarship, please check the site for additional documentation requirements.