2008 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 $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors and GED graduates who will study culinary arts or food service management at accredited culinary schools, colleges, or universities.

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify for a scholarship, you must:

• Be a citizen or permanent resident* of the United States of America OR
  be a resident of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Be a first time freshman. This includes: 
  * Graduating higth 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.

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. They are not completed in the online application, but must be typed separately and mailed with the printed, completed application.
3. A copy of the letter telling you that you have been accepted at culinary school, college, or university.
4. A copy of your college curriculum (from your college catalog) with the number of credit hours detailed.
5. A transcript from your high school (unofficial copies are acceptable; report cards are not) OR a copy of your GED certificate that shows your scores.
6. Verification of work experience. You will be judged on your work experience. This includes any paid employment, volunteer experiences, community service hours, or kitchen /lab experience as part of your education. You will only be judged on the work hours that are verified by the following documents. No other documents will be accepted.

a. Copies of paycheck stubs OR
b. 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, on company or school letterhead from an employer, supervisor, or teacher.

HOW TO APPLY

1. Read the instructions thoroughly!
2. Fill out online application (www.nraef.org/scholarships)
3. Submit the application online
4. Follow the online printing instructions carefully. You will not be able to return to your application and print it later.
5. Complete required essays. Essays must be typed.
6. Gather required documentation (see Required Documentation)
7. 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.

1. Your application will not be considered if it is:

* Handwritten
* Incomplete (missing any of the required documentation described above)
* Late (postmarked after the deadline)

2. Please do not send any paperwork that has not been requested. Do NOT put your application into a report cover, binder, or file.
3. You may receive only one NRAEF scholarship per year. NRAEF scholarships are paid over two
    consecutive terms, and overlapping scholarships are not permitted.

Please direct any questions about the application process to the NRAEF Scholarships Program Office. 1-800-765-2122, ext. 738.

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