Funding scholarships. How we all pay it forward.
AHLEF Scholarship Recipients
Alexandra Wuerfel, LJ Tamayo, Vanessa Andrade
Helping to educate the next generation of hospitality professionals is the essential work of AHLEF, and the most tangible, valuable benefit of the contributions our members make to the Foundation.
Students are empowered. Careers are launched. The workforce is assured.
How much is available?
We've budgeted more than $1.3 million to award to a few hundred hospitality management students this upcoming year.
Scholarships range from $500 to $7,500, and unlike a loan, that money never needs to be paid back.
Scholarships for the 2019-2020 academic school year are now closed.
View scholarship recipients.
Who is eligible?
AHLEF offers many scholarship opportunities to incoming freshman through graduate students. Some are earmarked specifically for current hotel employees and others for minorities. A few have minimum GPA requirements; others are open to full- or part-time students. All require enrollment in a hospitality management degree program.
How are applicants evaluated?
We don't judge applications solely on GPA or financial need. We also review hospitality work experience, extracurricular/professional activities, honors, as well as personal qualities.
Self-Nominated Scholarships
American Express Scholarship
Ecolab Scholarship
Graduate Scholarship
Hyatt Hotels Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students
Incoming Freshman Scholarship
Opening Doors to Opportunity Scholarship
School-Nominated Scholarships
AHLEF Annual Scholarship Grant Program
Arthur J. Packard Memorial Scholarship
Rama Scholarship for the American Dream
Hear from a scholarship recipient.
I am truly honored to be awarded such an incredible award. Without the financial support of AHLEF, I would not be able to attend Cornell, the school of my dreams. As a third-generation hotelier, I'm obtaining the skills I would need to eventually take over my family's hotel business in Northern Michigan. Thank you AHLEF for your investment in my education!
Alexandra Wuerfel (Shown Above), 2018 Scholarship Recipient of
American Express, Opening Doors to Opportunity, and Curtis C. Nelson
How To Apply
The 2019 application portal is now closed and will reopen in November.
Thank you for your interest in an AHLEF scholarship!
Congratulations to our 2019 Scholarship Recipients!
Our scholarships do make a difference! Take a look at some of our scholarship recipients' testimonials.
Other Scholarship Opportunities
In addition to AHLEF's programs, some of the AHLA's Partner State Associations offer scholarship programs. Here are links to their sites:
California Hotel & Lodging Association
Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association
Maine Innkeepers Association
New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association
Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association
Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association
