CIA Scholarships
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
- Awarded if you’re in a degree program and demonstrate need as determined by the .
- Renewable if you complete the FAFSA by the priority deadline, have a calculated financial need, and maintain requirements.
- $1,000–$5,000 per year.
CIA Alumni Referral Scholarship
- Awarded if you’re a prospective student (domestic or international) and submit a letter from a CIA graduate who encourages you to enroll.
- Include a copy of the letter with your application for admission.
- Available only for the freshman year.
- $1,000 one time.
CIA Excellence Award
- Available if you’ve demonstrated academic excellence as shown by your GPA (high school, college, or both) and leadership qualities.
- This merit-based scholarship is applied specifically to tuition charges.
- Our admissions team will identify you automatically during the application process; you do not need to apply separately for this scholarship.
- Award is renewable with a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- $5,500–$15,000 per year, depending on program and enrollment season.
CIA Geographic Scholarships
CIA has merit scholarships for students enrolling at the New York campus from specific states and geographic areas.
- CIA Pittsburgh Scholarship: A $2,000/year scholarship for students enrolling from specific zip codes in and around the city of Pittsburgh. This scholarship is offered for the Fall, Spring, and Summer entry dates.
- Empire Scholarship: A $1,000/year scholarship for students enrolling from the state of New York. This scholarship is offered for the Fall, Spring, and Summer entry dates.
- First in Flight scholarship: A $1,000/year scholarship for students enrolling from the state of North Carolina. This scholarship is offered for the Fall entry date.
- Garden State Scholarship: A $1,000/year scholarship for students enrolling from the state of New Jersey. This scholarship is offered for the Fall entry date.
- Keystone State Scholarship: A $1,000/year scholarship for students enrolling from the state of Pennsylvania. This scholarship is offered for the Fall entry date.
- Sunshine State Scholarship: A $1,000/year scholarship for students enrolling from the state of Florida. This scholarship is offered for the Fall entry date.
CIA Recognition Award
- Awarded in recognition of personal and professional achievement.
- Award is dependent on your degree program and time of enrollment.
- Renewable if you maintain requirements.
- $1,500–$3,500 per year.
National Student Organization (NSO) Scholarship—World, National and State Level Competitions
- Receive a scholarship certificate to attend the CIA if you place in the top three for a CIA-supported competition.
- Renewable if you maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, with the exception of the NAACP competition, for which you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better.
- Available to high school students only, with the exception of the SkillsUSA first-place winner in the national post-secondary culinary arts or restaurant management competitions.
- Scholarships must be used within 12 months of high school graduation.
- Competition sponsors include:
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
- Awarded if you’re in a degree program and demonstrate need as determined by the .
- Renewable if you complete the FAFSA by the priority deadline, have a calculated financial need, and maintain requirements.
- $3,000–$7,000 per year.
CIA Alumni Referral Scholarship (degree only)
- Awarded if you’re a prospective student (domestic or international) and submit a letter from a CIA graduate who encourages you to enroll.
- Include a copy of the letter with your application for admission.
- Available only for the freshman year.
- $1,000 one time.
CIA ACAP Alumni Referral Scholarship
- Awarded if you’re a prospective student (domestic or international) and submit a letter from a CIA graduate who encourages you to enroll in ACAP.
- Include a copy of the letter with your application for admission.
- Available for two semesters of the certificate program.
OR - For graduates of a CIA bachelor’s degree with a letter from a former CIA instructor encouraging you to enroll in ACAP.
- Available for two semesters of the certificate program.
CIA Excellence Award
- Available if you’ve demonstrated academic excellence as shown by your GPA (high school, college, or both) and leadership qualities.
- This merit-based scholarship is applied specifically to tuition charges.
- Our admissions team will identify you automatically during the application process; you do not need to apply separately for this scholarship.
- Award is renewable with a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- $4,000–$6,000 per year, depending on program and enrollment season.
National Student Organization (NSO) Scholarship—World, National and State Level Competitions
- Receive a scholarship certificate to attend the CIA if you place in the top three for a CIA-supported competition.
- Renewable if you maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, with the exception of the NAACP competition, for which you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better.
- Available to high school students only, with the exception of the SkillsUSA first-place winner in the national post-secondary culinary arts or restaurant management competitions.
- Scholarships must be used within 12 months of high school graduation.
- Competition sponsors include:
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
- Awarded if you’re in a degree program and demonstrate need as determined by the .
- Renewable if you complete the FAFSA by the priority deadline, have a calculated financial need, and maintain requirements.
- $1,000–$4,000 per year.
CIA Alumni Referral Scholarship
- Awarded if you’re a prospective student (domestic or international) and submit a letter from a CIA graduate who encourages you to enroll.
- Include a copy of the letter with your application for admission.
- Available only for the freshman year.
- $1,000 one time.
El Sueño Scholarship
- Covers a significant portion of program costs.
- Must have a completed CIA San Antonio application for admission on file and submit the .
- Submit a 400- to 500-word essay describing how the El Sueño Scholarship will assist you in fulfilling your dream of pursuing a culinary arts or baking and pastry arts degree.
- Renewable for the sophomore year if you maintain and continue to demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
National Student Organization (NSO) Scholarship—World, National and State Level Competitions
- Receive a scholarship certificate to attend the CIA if you place in the top three for a CIA-supported competition.
- Renewable if you maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, with the exception of the NAACP competition, for which you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better.
- Available to high school students only, with the exception of the SkillsUSA first-place winner in the national post-secondary culinary arts or restaurant management competitions.
- Scholarships must be used within 12 months of high school graduation.
- Competition sponsors include:
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:
- For need-based scholarships, you must complete a .
- Be sure to read about ways to avoid errors when filling out this application.
- Contact Student Financial and Registration Services at 845-451-1500 or SFRS@culinary.edu if you have any questions about scholarships, eligibility, or other requirements.
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
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