New York State Hospitality and Tourism Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by New York State Hospitality and Tourism
Introduction
Understanding how difficult it can be to balance work and college, the Foundation provides scholarship support for students pursuing hospitality-related degrees. Awards are available to both full- and part-time students who either work at member properties, are dependents of employees at member properties, or attend a member school.
Scholarship Awards and Payment
- Full-time students: $1,500 per semester, up to $6,000 total.
- Part-time students: $750 per semester, up to $6,000 total.
- If a part-time recipient later changes status to full-time, the award amount will be adjusted to $1,500 per semester (still with a $6,000 maximum).
- Special senior-year award: Full-time students entering their senior year are eligible for $1,500 per semester, up to $3,000 total.
Scholarship funds are distributed beginning the semester after the awards are formally announced and are paid directly to the recipient’s educational institution.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following:
- Be majoring in a hospitality-related field.
- Be enrolled at a NYSHTA member school, or be an employee of a NYSHTA member property/business, or be a dependent of an employee of a NYSHTA member property/business.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
- Meet the credit requirement: full-time enrollment is defined as 15 credits per semester. (Applicants should also have completed at least 15 college credits.)
2026 Application Period and Deadline
Applications for the 2026 scholarships are now being accepted. The deadline to submit an application is April 15, 2026. Applications received after that date will not be considered.
Application Checklist (Steps)
1. Complete the Background and Education information section.
2. Submit a 1–2 page Personal Description and Statement of Intent.
3. Provide three Letters of Recommendation (one letter must come from a NYSHTA member).
4. Include current transcripts, or arrange for your institution to forward them.
5. Submit the completed application by April 15, 2026.
All materials provided to the Foundation are treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of award selection.