Scholarship Program

The scholarship application period for the 2019-20 school year has closed. This year, the PRLAEF was pleased to award a record $40,550 to 26 Pennsylvania students who are enrolled in a post-secondary culinary arts or hospitality management program. Read the press release for more information.

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 $300,000 in scholarship monies.

Eligibility Requirements

• Graduating high school seniors furthering their education in the hospitality industry who have been accepted in a hospitality or culinary arts program in an accredited post-secondary institution.
• Students currently enrolled in an accredited hospitality or culinary arts program in a post-secondary institution.
• Student must be a Pennsylvania resident.

How to Apply

Applications must be completed online or sent via mail by April 1 (extended deadline for 2019). The following materials must be included:

• Completed application form. Click the Application Form button to get started. Please note, there is no save feature on the application.
• 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).
• Hospitality work experience preferred but not required. A personal interview may be required to receive an award. 

* 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 April 1 and clearly labeled with the applicant's name.
PRLAEF
100 State Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101

Additional Details

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. 
  

2019 Scholarship Recipients
Teresa Baldwin
Katie Brophy
Rasheeda Carter
Hailey Curcio
Dan Delaney
Daniel Gibson
Stefanie Goeke
Jessica Griel
Eva Hennessey
Shane Hoban
Makayla Hodge
Ashley Hoffer
Shilo Kendall
Miles Lamborn
Michael Lee
Beth-Elle Loye
Cameron Martinez
Sydney Mitcham
Jennifer Mullen
Samantha Perrone
Maryam Quraishi
Isabella Stormer
Jake Vincent
Teddi Weimert
Danielle Wesneski
Tara Young