This snapshot is built from CollegeWhale’s own scholarship database and planning tools. It shows how many awards are available for Culinary majors, how much money is on the table, and what early-career pay and typical college costs can look like.
We currently have 112 Culinary scholarships available in our database. These awards may come from professional associations, nonprofit organizations, and private sponsors. We’re actively adding scholarships tied to Culinary. Check back often or use our main scholarship search to uncover more awards that fit your profile.
Across these listings, the total advertised award value comes to roughly $38,000. Many scholarships for this major list flexible or renewable award amounts. As we continue to add additional Culinary scholarships, this section will show an estimate of the total dollars currently available in our database.
Graduates with a Culinary degree commonly see early-career median pay around $50,000 per year, depending on location, employer type, and experience.
Culinary ROI Snapshot:
We estimate a typical 4-year net cost of college at about
$108,584.
First-year median earnings are roughly 46% of that total cost. At that pace, it would take about 2.2 years of early-career earnings to “earn back” your degree investment (before taxes and living costs).
The average cost of in-of-state college in the United States is $27,146 per student per year, including books, supplies, and daily living expenses. Out-of-state students pay $45,708 per year. Private, nonprofit university students pay $58,628. According to data provided by educationdata.org as of 8/2025. Our ROI calculation is based on in-state average tuition. Median pay statistics are provided by bls.gov
The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best Culinary scholarships — fast. Filter by award amount, deadline month, and estimated time to apply, then instantly download your personalized list. No sign-ups, no personal info, no spam — just real, verified scholarships.
Each year, the Johnson & Wales University (JWU) College of Food Innovation & Technology (CFIT) hosts the “Future Food Scholarship Program,” a national competition for students accepted into JWU’s culinary arts, baking & pastry, culinary nutrition, culinary science & product
Award: $1,000 Deadline: January Est. Time: Med (~43 min)
The Alumni Council of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) works to raise funds, engage alumni, and support students through scholarship opportunities. These scholarships are available to incoming and enrolled students across CIA’s campuses (New York, California, Texas) and help
Award: $500 Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Med (~38 min)
The Flavor & The Menu Culinary Student Innovation Challenge (CSI Challenge) is a national competition and scholarship program that invites culinary-arts students to design and execute innovative new flavor/application concepts aligned with food-service market trends. Hosted by the trade journal
Award: $2,500 Deadline: January Est. Time: Low (~13 min)
The American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF) Scholarships support students at all stages of their culinary and baking education. These scholarships help aspiring chefs, pastry professionals, culinary managers and foodservice leaders access accredited training programs that prepare them for competitive
Award: $1,500 Deadline: April Est. Time: Med (~78 min)
The Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts Scholarship Program provides financial support to students pursuing professional training in culinary arts, baking and pastry, hospitality, plant-based cuisine, and related foodservice disciplines. Escoffier, known for its focus on classical technique, sustainable practices
Award: $500 Deadline: Rolling Est. Time: Med (~58 min)
The Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) Scholarships provide life-changing educational opportunities for high-school students passionate about culinary arts and the foodservice industry. Through its national network of partner schools, chefs and culinary organizations, C-CAP awards millions of dollars in
Award: Varies Deadline: March Est. Time: Med (~58 min)
The American Culinary Federation (ACF), through the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF), offers nutrition-focused scholarships to support students who are pursuing education at the intersection of culinary arts, nutrition, food science, and wellness. These awards are ideal for aspiring
Award: $1,500 Deadline: April Est. Time: Med (~78 min)
The American Culinary Federation (ACF) Scholarship supports aspiring culinary professionals who are pursuing formal education in culinary arts, baking and pastry, hospitality management, or related foodservice fields. Through the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF), these scholarships help students strengthen
Award: $1,500 Deadline: April Est. Time: Med (~78 min)
This scholarship is administered by The Chicago Culinary Museum and Chefs Hall of Fame, a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating Chicago's culinary heritage and fostering the next generation of chefs and hospitality professionals. Awards support students pursuing education in culinary arts
Award: $500 Deadline: October Est. Time: Med (~78 min)
The Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association (HLTA) Scholarship supports Hawaii students pursuing higher education in fields related to hospitality, tourism, or culinary arts. This scholarship encourages local students to excel in industries critical to Hawaii's economy. Eligibility Requirements: Residency: Must
Award: $1,000 Deadline: March Est. Time: Med (~78 min)
If you are a student considering a career in the culinary arts field, The Food Network Scholarship Contest is offering a $20,000 college scholarship from The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes. The Food Network Scholarship Contest is open
Award: $20,000 Deadline: May Est. Time: Med (~43 min)
The James Beard Culinary Scholarships offer a fantastic opportunity for students aspiring to pursue a career in the culinary arts. The scholarships are supported by the Friends of James Beard Foundation and the James Beard Foundation School Scholarships, and are
Award: Varies Deadline: May Est. Time: Med (~58 min)This comprehensive collection of Culinary scholarships and grants for the 2026 - 2027 school years, curated from our regularly updated databases. To explore all available scholarship matches, visit our Scholarship Database and Grant Database, which both offer easy-to-use filters, current deadlines, and detailed eligibility information to help you discover the best Culinary scholarship opportunities.
Culinary arts scholarships give aspiring chefs, bakers, and hospitality professionals the opportunity to turn their passion for food into a career without being weighed down by tuition costs. From prestigious institutions like the Culinary Institute of America to community-based programs supporting local talent, there are countless funding options available for culinary students. These awards not only help pay for education but also open doors to mentorships, internships, and networking opportunities with top chefs and industry leaders.
In this guide, you’ll discover scholarships for high school seniors, women in culinary arts, hospitality students, and culinary innovators who are redefining the food industry. Whether your goal is to master fine dining, pastry arts, food science, or sustainable gastronomy, there’s a scholarship designed to help you achieve it.
Yes, there are many scholarships and grants available for students pursuing degrees in culinary arts, pastry and baking, food science, or hospitality management. These awards are offered by culinary schools, private companies, food industry organizations, and foundations to support aspiring chefs, bakers, and hospitality professionals.
Tip: Scholarships are available for students at all stages—whether you’re just entering culinary school or transferring into a specialized program like farm-to-table or pastry arts.
Yes, several scholarships are specifically designed to support women pursuing culinary or hospitality careers. These programs aim to increase representation and leadership in professional kitchens and the broader food industry.
Tip: Highlight leadership, creativity, and mentorship goals in your application. Many of these scholarships also offer networking opportunities with top female chefs.
Yes, many scholarships support high school seniors planning to attend culinary schools or study hospitality in college. These awards often recognize passion, creativity, and early commitment to culinary careers.
Tip: High school culinary competitions, teacher recommendations, and early training (like working in a restaurant) can boost your chances.
Yes, several major food and hospitality companies offer scholarships for culinary students. These awards often include leadership development, mentorship, and internship opportunities.
Tip: Follow these companies on LinkedIn or check their corporate social responsibility pages for scholarship deadlines and partnership info.
Many universities and accredited culinary schools offer internal scholarships for incoming and continuing culinary students. Awards may be based on merit, need, or portfolio strength.
Tip: Apply for university aid *and* external scholarships for the best chance of covering tuition and materials.
Applying for culinary scholarships often involves showcasing your creativity, career goals, and commitment to the culinary arts. Here’s how to get started:
Tip: Save time by preparing a master portfolio and essay, then customize for each opportunity.
The James Beard Foundation Scholarship is one of the most prestigious culinary scholarships available. It supports aspiring chefs, bakers, hospitality managers, and food systems advocates by providing financial aid and industry recognition.
Eligibility includes:
Award amounts typically range from $2,000 to $10,000, with some full-tuition awards available through partner schools.
Tip: Explore current offerings and deadlines at James Beard Foundation Scholarship.
The NRAEF Scholarship supports students committed to careers in the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industries. This widely respected program helps students cover tuition costs and develop leadership skills.
Eligibility and key details:
Tip: Apply early, and highlight your work experience, volunteer service, or career goals in foodservice.
The Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) Scholarship supports high school students from under-resourced communities who are interested in culinary careers. C-CAP connects students with education, internships, and full-tuition scholarships to top culinary schools.
Eligibility includes:
Many scholarships offer full or partial tuition coverage at renowned culinary schools such as the CIA, Johnson & Wales, or ICE.
Tip: Start by getting involved with C-CAP through your high school.
Reviewed by CollegeWhale Editorial Team on November, 2025. Content is updated regularly to reflect current scholarship deadlines and verified data from official sources.
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