Massachusetts Restaurant & Lodging District Association Scholarship

Name: Massachusetts Restaurant & Lodging District Association (MRLDA) Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,000 (up to 10 scholarships awarded)

Information And Eligibility:
The Massachusetts Restaurant & Lodging District Association (MRLDA) Scholarship Program is a merit-based award created to support individuals pursuing education and training within or connected to the hospitality, restaurant, lodging, and service industries. This scholarship reflects MRLDA’s commitment to workforce development and to investing in the education of employees and families who contribute to Massachusetts’ hospitality economy.

Each year, MRLDA awards up to ten scholarships of $2,000 to help offset the cost of higher education, vocational training, or continuing education. Unlike many traditional scholarships, the MRLDA Scholarship is intentionally flexible in scope. It supports a wide range of educational paths, including associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs, as well as vocational or trade school training. Continuing education programs—up to five years beyond secondary education—are also eligible, including certificate-based and skills-focused programs that enhance professional advancement.

This scholarship is open to both employees and eligible family members of individuals who work for retail or associate member companies in good standing with the MRLDA. The program recognizes that career growth in hospitality and related industries often involves nontraditional education pathways, and it seeks to reduce financial barriers for students pursuing meaningful, career-aligned training.

Applicants are evaluated based on merit, educational goals, and alignment with the scholarship’s purpose. All applications must be fully completed to be considered. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. The MRLDA Scholarship Committee conducts a formal review process and selects recipients based on the strength of each application.

Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, required fees, books, supplies, or other education-related expenses. Whether applicants are pursuing management degrees, culinary or hospitality training, skilled trades, or professional certificates, this scholarship provides valuable financial support to help students move forward with confidence.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be an employee or an eligible family member (child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, or spouse) of an employee.
• The employee must work for a retail or associate member company in good standing with the MRLDA.
• Eligible retail member employees must work at a Massachusetts location.
• Eligible associate member employees must work for a company with a headquarters or branch in Massachusetts, or represent the associate member company in Massachusetts.
• Open to students pursuing associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees.
• Open to students enrolled in vocational or trade school training.
• Open to students pursuing continuing education (up to five years post-secondary), including degree, certificate, or vocational programs.

Application Requirements:

• Complete the official MRLDA Scholarship application form.
• Provide all required personal, employment, and educational information.
• Submit any supporting documentation requested by the MRLDA Scholarship Committee.
• Applications must be fully completed to be reviewed.

Evaluation Process:

• All completed applications must be received by April 30.
• The MRLDA Scholarship Committee reviews all eligible submissions.
• Scholarship recipients are selected based on merit and eligibility.
• Scholarships are finalized and awarded by June 30.

Additional Details:

• Up to ten scholarships are awarded each year.
• Each scholarship is valued at $2,000.
• Funds are intended to support education and career advancement.
• Applicants may download a scholarship poster for workplace distribution.

Deadline: April 30

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