CIA Scholarships

A diverse group of nine people, wearing casual clothing and smiling, pose together outside a brick building. Some are wearing blue shirts and name tags, indicating they might be part of an organized event or a culinary scholarship program. Sunlight and shadows create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Scholarships to Help Pay For Your CIA Education

We offer Culinary Institute of America scholarships and grants through our New York, California, and Texas campuses for qualified students. More than $40 Million in student scholarships was awarded by CIA last year.

New York Campus

CIA Assistance Grant

CIA Alumni Referral Scholarship

CIA Excellence Award

CIA Geographic Scholarships

CIA has merit scholarships for students enrolling at the New York campus from specific states and geographic areas.

CIA Recognition Award

National Student Organization (NSO) Scholarship—World, National and State Level Competitions

SkillsUSA (World)
³Ò´Ç±ô»å—$12,000
³§¾±±ô±¹±ð°ù—$10,000
µþ°ù´Ç²Ô³ú±ð—$6,000

SkillsUSA (National)
1st Place—Full Tuition
2nd Place—$4,000
3rd Place—$3,500

SkillsUSA (State)
1st Place—$3,000
2nd Place—$2,000
3rd Place—$1,000

FCCLA (National)
1st Place—$4,000
2nd Place—$3,500
3rd Place—$3,000

FCCLA (State)
1st Place—$2,000
2nd Place—$1,500
3rd Place—$1,000

Prostart (National)
1st Place—$4,000
2nd Place—$3,500
3rd Place—$2,000

Prostart (State)
1st Place—$2,000
2nd Place—$1,500
3rd Place—$1,000

NAACP Scholarship (National, Culinary Individuals)
1st Place—Half Tuition
2nd Place—$4,000
3rd Place—$3,500

NAACP Scholarship (National, Hospitality Teams)
1st Place—$4,000
2nd Place—$3,500
3rd Place—$3,000

California Campus

CIA Assistance Grant

CIA Alumni Referral Scholarship (degree only)

CIA ACAP Alumni Referral Scholarship

CIA Excellence Award

National Student Organization (NSO) Scholarship—World, National and State Level Competitions

SkillsUSA (World)
³Ò´Ç±ô»å—$12,000
³§¾±±ô±¹±ð°ù—$10,000
µþ°ù´Ç²Ô³ú±ð—$6,000

SkillsUSA (National)
1st Place—Full Tuition
2nd Place—$4,000
3rd Place—$3,500

SkillsUSA (State)
1st Place—$3,000
2nd Place—$2,000
3rd Place—$1,000

FCCLA (National)
1st Place—$4,000
2nd Place—$3,500
3rd Place—$3,000

FCCLA (State)
1st Place—$2,000
2nd Place—$1,500
3rd Place—$1,000

Prostart (National)
1st Place—$4,000
2nd Place—$3,500
3rd Place—$2,000

Prostart (State)
1st Place—$2,000
2nd Place—$1,500
3rd Place—$1,000

NAACP Scholarship (National, Culinary Individuals)
1st Place—Half Tuition
2nd Place—$4,000
3rd Place—$3,500

NAACP Scholarship (National, Hospitality Teams)
1st Place—$4,000
2nd Place—$3,500
3rd Place—$3,000

Texas Campus

CIA Assistance Grant

CIA Alumni Referral Scholarship

El Sueño Scholarship

National Student Organization (NSO) Scholarship—World, National and State Level Competitions

SkillsUSA (World)
³Ò´Ç±ô»å—$12,000
³§¾±±ô±¹±ð°ù—$10,000
µþ°ù´Ç²Ô³ú±ð—$6,000

SkillsUSA (National)
1st Place—Full Tuition
2nd Place—$4,000
3rd Place—$3,500

SkillsUSA (State)
1st Place—$3,000
2nd Place—$2,000
3rd Place—$1,000

FCCLA (National)
1st Place—$4,000
2nd Place—$3,500
3rd Place—$3,000

FCCLA (State)
1st Place—$2,000
2nd Place—$1,500
3rd Place—$1,000

Prostart (National)
1st Place—$4,000
2nd Place—$3,500
3rd Place—$2,000

Prostart (State)
1st Place—$2,000
2nd Place—$1,500
3rd Place—$1,000

NAACP Scholarship (National, Culinary Individuals)
1st Place—Half Tuition
2nd Place—$4,000
3rd Place—$3,500

NAACP Scholarship (National, Hospitality Teams)
1st Place—$4,000
2nd Place—$3,500
3rd Place—$3,000

Additional Scholarship and grant Opportunities

Many organizations, corporations, and individual donors generously offer scholarship assistance to CIA students. Once accepted, incoming and current students have access to the CIA scholarship site, , which provides opportunities to apply throughout the year to more than 200 scholarships donated by friends of the college. More than $5 million was awarded last year from these donated funds.

A variety of sources outside the CIA offer private grants and scholarships. Accepted students also have access to information about additional private scholarship opportunities for which they would apply directly through the specific granting organization. View some .

The Internet, public libraries, and high school guidance counselor offices are also great sources for scholarship information.

There are a variety of industry organizations that support students pursuing culinary, restaurant management, and/or hospitality degrees. Here are a few such organizations:

Remember:

Also in this section

Grants, Loans, and Work-Study

There are several ways to fund your CIA education. In addition to scholarships, your financial aid package might also include federal aid—such as grants, loans, and work-study—and other state aid options.

Earn & Learn

Scholarship recipients will work a fixed number of hours in roles specifically chosen for their professional-level experience.

Veterans Aid

As a veteran, you can use the Post-9/11 GI Bill® to help finance your Culinary Institute of America education.

College Calculator

Your CIA education is an investment in your future as a food industry professional. It’s important to know how you’re spending every dollar.

Code of Conduct

The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) prohibits a conflict of interest with the responsibilities of an officer, employee, or agent of the CIA regarding Title IV loans.

Forms and Publications

Download These Financial Aid Resources

Tutorial Videos

Video Answers 24/7

Student Financial and Registration Services

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