California Restaurant Association Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by California Restaurant Association
Introduction
For more than 40 years the California Restaurant Foundation (CRF) has invested in the next generation of restaurant, foodservice and hospitality professionals through college scholarships. This year the Foundation awarded $177,650 in jointly sponsored scholarships to 83 students. Awards can provide up to $4,000 per year to support California students pursuing degrees in hospitality management, culinary arts, food science and related programs.
Application period
Applications open annually from January 1 through May 1. The 2026 application cycle will open on January 1, 2026 and close on May 1, 2026. All application materials must be submitted by the May 1 deadline.
Scholarship types and award amounts
- General Scholarship
- Up to $2,000 for students in two-year programs
- Up to $4,000 for students in four-year programs
- Required: industry work experience hours, a minimum 2.5 GPA, and an essay
- Guy Fieri Foundation Scholarship
- Awards range from $2,000 to $5,000
- Applicants must submit either a 30-second video or two photos with captions responding to the prompt “What inspires you?”
- Required: industry work experience hours and a minimum 2.5 GPA
- Wienerschnitzel / Galardi Group, Inc. Scholarship
- Minimum award of $2,000
- Open to applicants who, or whose immediate family member, work for Wienerschnitzel, Hamburger Stand, or Galardi Group
Each year CRF grants numerous scholarships to qualified high school seniors and undergraduate students intending to pursue postsecondary study in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality fields.
How awards are decided and paid
CRF scholarships are competitive. Selections are based on the completed application, submitted essay (where required), and documented industry experience. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. Scholarship funds are disbursed in two installments after the recipient provides proof of enrollment for two semesters.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for a CRF scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Be a resident of California (attendance at an out‑of‑state school is permitted)
- Be, or plan to be, enrolled in an accredited, foodservice-related postsecondary program for two consecutive terms beginning in the fall, carrying at least nine credit hours per term
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale
- Be in good academic standing with their school to receive the second half of the award
- Have completed at least one grading term of postsecondary coursework, or be a high school senior entering college
- Meet the required amount of foodservice-related work experience (paid or volunteer), verified as follows:
- 250 hours for high school seniors entering their freshman year
- 400 hours for college freshmen advancing to sophomore year
- 550 hours for students beyond sophomore year
Verification of work experience must be provided via scanned pay stubs or a signed letter from an employer. Do not submit W-2 forms.
Required documentation
Along with the signed application, applicants must include:
- A copy of the program curriculum (from a college catalog or the school website) showing the major/degree, number of credit hours, and degree requirements
- A high school or college transcript (does not need to be a sealed official copy, but must come from the institution)
- Proof of the required restaurant/hospitality work experience (scanned pay stubs or an employer-signed letter). Do not send W-2 copies.
Reminder
Check back on January 1, 2026 to access the 2026 CRF scholarship application. All materials for that cycle must be submitted by May 1, 2026.