AHLA Foundation Self-Nominated Scholarships
These scholarship funds are made available for any hospitality student (your school does not need to be affiliated with the Foundation) and you do not need to wait for a nomination to complete the application form. These scholarships include:
- American Express Scholarship
- Ecolab Scholarship
- Graduate Scholarships
- Hyatt Hotels Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students
- Incoming Freshman Scholarship
- Opening Doors to Opportunity Scholarship
American Express Scholarship
Founded by American Express in 1994, this program is designed specifically for current lodging employees and their dependents. Endowed with more than $500,000, the fund has awarded $382,610 in scholarships to 328 students and professionals.
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrolled full- or part-time in an undergraduate hospitality management program at a U.S. college or university
- A minimum of 2.0 overall GPA
- You must either:
- Be working a minimum of 20 hours per week at an AHLA member hotel with at least 12 months’ hotel experience, OR
- Be a dependent of a qualified employee, and have past employment in some capacity in the hospitality industry
Scholarship Awards
- Baccalaureate Majors – $2,000 full-time enrollment; or $1,000 part-time
- Associate Majors – $1,000 full-time enrollment; or $500 part-time
Application Process
American Express Scholarships are self-nominated, which means students do not have to be attending a particular school or be nominated by their respective schools. Applicants must complete all sections of the application of the AHLA Foundation Scholarship Application.
Ecolab Scholarship
This program was established by Ecolab in 1996 as a commitment to the lodging industry and to support the development of its future leaders. To date, more than $500,000 has been awarded to over 350 hospitality management students.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credit hours) in an undergraduate hospitality-related program for both the fall and spring semesters.
- A minimum of 2.0 overall GPA.
Scholarship Awards
- Baccalaureate Majors – $2,000
- Associate Majors – $1,000
Application Process
Ecolab Scholarships are self-nominated, which means students do not have to be attending a particular school or be nominated by their respective schools. Applicants must complete the AHLA Foundation Scholarship Application.
Graduate Scholarships
The program is open to hospitality management graduate students as well as other graduate majors who have an undergraduate hospitality degree or at least four years employment in the industry.
Eligibility Criteria
- If the student’s graduate degree is in anything other than a hospitality-related program, he/she must have either:
- An undergraduate degree in hospitality
- Four years’ employment in the lodging industry after graduation
- OR if the student does not have either of the above, then he/she must be enrolled in a hospitality-related graduate degree.
- Enrollment can be full- or part-time in a U.S. college or university. Have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident.
Scholarship Award
- Scholarship winners receive a $5,000 award
Application Process
Graduate Scholarships are self-nominated, which means students do not have to be attending a particular school or be nominated by their respective schools. Applicants must complete all sections of the application (including 2 Letters of Recommendation) of the AHLA Foundation Scholarship Application by March 15.
Hyatt Hotels Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students
The Hyatt Scholarship is a national competition among minority students enrolled in baccalaureate hospitality management programs. In 1988, Hyatt established this fund to provide financial aid to minority students pursuing a degree in hotel management
Since 1988, approximately 372 minority students have received $744,000 through this scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrolled in at least 12 credit hours for the upcoming fall and spring semesters, or just the fall semester if graduating in December.
- At least a junior in a four-year program for the upcoming fall 2023 semester. A minimum of 2.0 overall GPA.
- The competition is open to minority students: African-American, Hispanic, Native American/Alaskan, and Asian or Pacific Islander.
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident.
Scholarship Award
- Scholarship winners receive a $3,000 award
Application Process
Hyatt Scholarships are self-nominated, which means students do not have to be attending a particular school or be nominated by their respective schools. Applicants must complete all sections of the application of the AHLA Foundation Scholarship Application by March 15.
Incoming Freshman Scholarship
In 2008, AHLA Foundation created a scholarship exclusively for incoming freshmen to encourage enrollment in hospitality-related undergraduate programs and attract more students to the lodging industry. The program is being funded from the PepsiCo Foundation Scholarship Fund, proceeds from the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), and the scholarship monies set aside from AHLA Foundation’s New Century Campaign.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be an incoming freshman enrolled in a hospitality-related program for the upcoming fall semester. An incoming freshman is defined as a student who has never been enrolled in a college or university
- Be enrolled at least 12 credit hours for the upcoming fall and spring semesters. Have a minimum of 2.0 overall GPA.
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident.
Scholarship Awards
- Baccalaureate Majors: $4,000
- Associate Majors: $2,000
Application Process
Incoming Freshman Scholarships are self-nominated, which means students do not have to be attending a particular school or be nominated by their respective schools. Applicants must complete all sections of the application of the AHLA Foundation Scholarship Application.
Opening Doors to Opportunity Scholarship
The Opening Doors to Opportunity capital campaign, reinforced the industry’s diligence and unwavering support of our future leaders. The campaign raised over $7.4 million to fund the Foundation’s academic scholarships, professional development, and industry research programs. This scholarship program was created to disburse approximately $3.2 million of the campaign proceeds dedicated to academic scholarships.
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrolled at least 12 credit hours for both the fall and spring semesters, or just the fall semester if graduating in December.
- An undergraduate hospitality management major at an accredited U.S. college or university.
- Have a minimum of a 2.5 overall GPA
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident.
Scholarship Awards
- Baccalaureate Majors: $7,500 for full-time enrollment, $3,750 for the fall semester only
- Associate Majors: $3,000 enrollment for both semesters, $1,500 fall semester only
Application Process
Opening Doors to Opportunity Scholarships are self-nominated, which means students do not have to be attending a particular school or be nominated by their respective schools. Applicants must complete all sections of the application of the AHLA Foundation Scholarship Application.
