Annual Scholarship Grant Program

The Foundation's largest program, the Annual Scholarship Grant Program, is co-administered with 84 universities and colleges affiliated with AH&LEF.  Click here to view the list of participating schools.

For the 2010 academic year, a total of $234,000 has been allocated to Foundation-affiliated schools.  Financial support for the scholarship grant program is provided by the following scholarship funds.  Click here to view the list of endowed funds.

• AH&LA Allied Members
  
• Melinda Bush
  
• John Clifford Memorial
  
• Handlery Hotels
  
• Conrad N. Hilton Memorial
  
• Richard Kelley
  
• Richard Kessler
  
• J. Willard Marriott Memorial
  
• Curtis C. Nelson
  
• Cecil B. Day Memorial
  
• Creighton Holden Memorial
  

Additional funds for the program come from a generous contribution of proceeds from the American Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) as well as funds raised through AH&LEF's Annual Giving Program, previous capital giving campaigns and special events like the Big Apple Silent Auction, Golf Classic, and Hospitality Heritage Dinner Tribute.

Eligibility Criteria

Nominees must:

• Be full-time students in an undergraduate hospitality management degree granting program
  
• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA (2.0 if receiving Conrad Hilton Funds)
  
• Qualify as U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  
• Have completed 1-2 years of school depending on the program

Scholarship Awards
Award amounts can range from $500 to $3,000 depending upon enrollment and recommended amount from school.

Application Process

Annual Grant Scholarships are School Nominated, which means students are selected by their respective schools -- not by the Foundation.  If you're attending a Foundation-affiliated school, request nomination through AH&LEF's Designated Contact Person, or contact Christa Boatman at 202-289-3139 / cboatman@ahlef.org or Michelle Poinelli at 202-289-3181 / mpoinelli@ahlef.org for more information. 

All student nominees must complete sections 1-3 and 8 of the AH&LEF Scholarship Application.  Additionally, under separate cover, participating schools are required to send a nomination form confirming their nominees and providing suggested award amounts.  AH&LEF will not consider applicants for these awards without verification from their respective schools.  AH&LEF academic scholarship applications are only accepted from January 1 to May 1 each year.  Please note that any applications received from May 2 through December 31 will not be reviewed because the information provided will be outdated for the next school year. 

Participating Schools

Currently 84 universities and colleges are affiliated with AH&LEF and participate in the Annual Scholarship Grant Program. Click here to view the list of participating schools for Annual Scholarship Grants.

These affiliated schools agree to co-administer AH&LEF scholarships with us.  In return for receiving an annual scholarship grant, the school selects the student recipients and award amounts based upon AH&LEF criteria, as well as assisting in the disbursement process.  View the 2010 Scholarship Manual Book for a complete accounting of all policies and procedures.

Every three to five years, the Foundation initiates a review process of both existing and new schools wishing to participate. In 2008 the Committee reviewed the existing schools and priority ranked 11 new schools that applied for affiliation. The top two priority ranked schools – George Washington University and the University of Tennessee were added to the AH&LEF Affiliated School list and the remaining new schools will be placed on the waiting list in the above rank order in case new monies become available.

Recent Recipients

Click here to view the list of 2010 Annual Scholarship Recipients

“Thank you for helping my goal and dream become a reality.  Hospitality is my passion.  I have recently been promoted to the At Your Service Supervisor at the Miami Airport Marriott.  Now with this scholarship, I will be able to complete my studies.” Adira Ashby Florida International University 2009 Cecil B. Day Scholar