2009 National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
Academic Scholarship for High School Seniors and General Education Diploma (GED) Graduates

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) awards scholarships starting at $2,500 to high school seniors, GED graduates and first time freshman who are enrolling in a foodservice related program.

HOW TO APPLY

Please follow the FIVE steps below to complete your Application Packet. All materials must be mailed to the NRAEF and postmarked by the deadline date.

STEP #1: Make sure you are qualified for this scholarship. Please read through the qualifications below. If you don’t meet ALL of these qualifications you are not eligible to apply.

To be eligible to apply, you must:

• Be a citizen or permanent resident* of the United States of America.
• Be a first time freshman. This includes:
  • Graduating high school seniors.
  • GED graduates enrolling in college for the first time**.
  • High school graduates enrolling in college for the first time**.
• Be accepted and plan to enroll in an accredited culinary school, college or university. You must:
  • Enroll as a full-time or substantial part-time student taking a minimum of 9 credit hours each term.
  • Major in culinary, restaurant management, or other foodservice related major.
  • Plan to remain in school for at least two terms

STEP #2: Complete the required essays for the Academic Scholarship for High School Seniors and GED Graduates

The two essays are required as part of the scholarship application packet and must be submitted with your printed and signed application form and other required documents as outlined in these instructions. The essays must be typed and double-spaced. Please put your name on the top of each page of your essays. Your essays must address each item in the essay questions.

Essay #1: Personal Statement (Word Count: 150-200 words)

• What is your ultimate career goal in the restaurant/foodservice industry?
• Tell us about your background and experience. Discuss your education and work experience.
• How will your background and experience help you to be successful in your career goal?
• What do you need to do to achieve your career goals? Discuss your educational, work, and personal plans that will help you to reach your career goals.

Essay #2 (Word Count: 450-500 words)

     • What experience or person (e.g. mentor, supervisor, etc) most influenced you in selecting the restaurant and foodservice industry of choice? .
     • What did the person do to influence you?. 
     • What did you learn from this person?
     • How will this help you reach your career goals in the foodservice industry?


STEP #3: Complete the online application form at www.nraef.org/scholarships


Complete, print and sign the online application form


STEP #4: Gather all the required documentation


To be considered for a scholarship, your application packet must include the following:

1. Signed hard copy of your online application.
2. Typed essays.
3. A copy of the letter telling you that you have been accepted at a culinary school, college, or university.
4. A copy of your college curriculum (from your college catalog) with the number of credit hours detailed. Please do NOT include the entire catalog.
5. A copy of your high school transcript (unofficial copies are acceptable; report cards are not) OR a copy of your GED certificate that shows your score.
6. Verification of work experience. Work experience can include any paid employment, volunteer experiences, community service hours, or kitchen/lab experience as part of your education. You will be judged on the work hours that are   verified by the following documents. No other documents will be accepted.
   
   
   • Copies of paycheck stubs. Please do not send copies of W-2 forms; they are not proof of hours worked.
   • A letter from your employer, supervisor, or teacher verifying your total work hours. It must be on company or school letterhead. Make sure you tell them to include the number of hours you worked.

7. One to three letters of recommendation from current or previous employer(s) or teacher in the restaurant and or foodservice industries. The letters must be on company or school letterhead.


STEP #5: Mail application, essays, and required documentation on or before the deadline date.


Documentation sent separately from the application must be postmarked by the application date or your application will be disqualified

OTHER IMPORTANT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION INFORMATION

REASONS FOR DISQUALIFICATION, IN-ELIGIBILTY, AND RESTRICTIONS

• Your Application Packet will not be considered if it is:

             * Handwritten 
             * Incomplete (missing any of the required documentation described above)
             * Not signed. If you are under 18 years old, your parent or guardian must also sign it.
             
• Please do not send any paperwork that has not been requested. Do NOT put your Application Packet into a report cover, binder, or file.
• You may only receive one NRAEF scholarship per calendar year. NRAEF scholarships are paid over two consecutive terms, and overlapping scholarships are not permitted.

If you have any questions about the application process contact the NRAEF Scholarships Program office at 800-765-2122, ext. 6738 or scholars@nraef.org.

The NRAEF wishes you success in your academic and career goals.