Scholarship Program

The scholarship application period for the 2021-22 school year is now open. Scholarship applications are due by March 1, 2021.

In 2020, the PRLAEF was pleased to award a record $45,265 to 31 Pennsylvania students who are enrolled in a post-secondary culinary arts or hospitality management program. ​

The scholarship program is administered by PRLA's charitable foundation, PRLA Educational Foundation (PRLAEF). It annually provides Pennsylvania students with the opportunity to further their education in the hospitality industry. Since the program's inception in 2006, the PRLAEF has awarded more than $345,000 in scholarship monies.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the scholarship program:

• Student must be a Pennsylvania resident.
• Student must be either:
  • A graduating high school senior who has been accepted into a hospitality or culinary arts program at an accredited post-secondary institution for the 2020-21 school year.
  • A currently enrolled post-secondary student who will be studying in a hospitality or culinary arts program during the 2020-21 school year.

How to Apply

Applications must be completed online by March 1, 2021. After you CLICK TO APPLY, you will be prompted to create an account.  Once you create a user account and begin an application, you can save your work and return later to finish. If you have any questions, please contact Hope Sterner at scholarship@prla.org.

You will be asked to provide the following*: 

• Three letters of recommendation (Can be sourced from any combination of teachers/instructors, employers, and/or personal references).
• Transcript from most recently attended school.
• A short essay (200 words) describing who you are, your work experience and why you wish to pursue a career in the hospitality industry.
• Letter of acceptance from the post-secondary school (unless currently enrolled).
• Resume (optional)

* If you are unable to provide a digital copy of any of the above documents, you may send in a paper copy to the following address. Any mailed materials must be postmarked by March 1 and clearly labeled with the applicant's name.
PRLAEF
100 State Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101

Additional Details

Hospitality work experience is preferred but not required. A personal interview may be required to receive an award. Scholarships are NOT automatically recurring, but students may re-apply each year they are eligible.

Awards range in value from $500 to $5,000. Candidates will be notified in mid-April whether or not they will receive a scholarship award. Scholarship monies will be mailed directly to the institution of higher education in mid-July. For more information, call (800) 345-5353 or email scholarship@prla.org.

National Scholarship Opportunities

• National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
  Foodservice and related majors for first-time freshmen and returning undergraduate students. 
• American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation
  Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in hospitality management programs.
• American Culinary Federation
  Scholarships for students pursuing degrees in culinary arts programs. 
• The Culinary Institute of New York at Monroe College
  Scholarship for high school seniors who participated in the ProStart program.
• Mallorca Properties MP Scholarship
  Awarded to students currently attending/enrolling in an accredited U.S. or UK college, university or graduate hospitality program. 
  

Click to Apply

2020 Scholarship Recipients
Valentina Acosta
Lisa Bergin
Colin Bower
Mary Elizabeth Brannan
Cassandra Callihan
Angela DeBockler
Larissa Ealy
Luis Garcia
Emily Hart
Sarah Heiland
Ashley Hoffer
Olivia Hurtado
Madelyn Jacobs
Alena Jenkins-Miranda
Xavier Kellogg
Karla Kruger
Emma Loveland
Jordyn Mitchell
Carly Schultz
Abigail Sentz
Natalie Shaak
Alex Shulman
Shannon Stover
Jana-Brielle Ursu
Philisity Varndell
Isabella Viola
Kendall Wescoat
Danielle Wesneski
Caila Winkelman
Connor Woodburn
Alexis Youse