Scholarship Application

IHLA Educational Foundation Scholarship Application Process

The 2024 IHLAEF Scholarship Application portal is now closed.

The purpose of our scholarship program is to financially assist Illinois students who have demonstrated a desire to make the hotel and hospitality industry a career. Scholarships are available in amounts ranging from $1,000 up to $4,000 per academic year. Each student applicant must comply with the eligibility, selection criteria and requirements of the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (IHLAEF) Scholarship Program. Past scholarship recipients and past applicants are encouraged to reapply by submitting a new application.

You Are Eligible to Apply If:
You are a permanent resident of Illinois and a U.S. citizen OR a permanent U.S. citizen attending an accredited college or university in Illinois
AND
You are a current undergraduate student enrolled full-time (12 credit hours or more) OR are a high school senior or graduate who has been accepted in an accredited college or university hotel and/or hospitality management degree granting program in the U.S.
OR
You are an undergraduate student enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per semester in an accredited college or university hotel and/or hospitality management degree granting program in the U.S. and are also employed a minimum of 20 hours per week in the hospitality industry.

The Selection Criteria Requires:

A maintained Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.5/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (C+).
Your extracurricular activities and accomplishments within the past two years. This should include, but not be limited to, school, community, and charitable activities.

A typed essay outlining your career goals in the hotel and/or hospitality industry. SEE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS in application.
One letter of recommendation from an education professional, current or former employer or industry professional.
Current official or unofficial college transcript. For high school applicants: most recent high school or GED transcript including GPA.

NOTE:

Incomplete applications will not be submitted for judging.
Winners of named donor awards will not be eligible for the same award the following year.

**ALL REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS ARE TO BE UPLOADED AND SUBMITTED ONLY ONCE PER STUDENT**

IHLAEF Scholarship Application 2024

* Indicates required field

Applicant Full Name *

First

Last

Applicant Email *

Applicant Permanent Address *

Line 1

Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Country

Applicant Cell Phone Number *

Parent or Guardian Full Name (if under the age of 18) *

First

Last

Parent or Guardian Address (if under the age of 18) *

Line 1

Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Country

Parent or Guardian Email (if under the age of 18) *

Parent or Guardian Phone Number *

Academic Information

Name and Address of College or University Where You Are Enrolled/Accepted *

Grade Level You Will Be Entering Fall 2024 *

Name of Major / Program: *

Current GPA (Specify High School or College) *

Will You Be Enrolled Full Time? (select one) *

If NO, Number of Credit Hours To Be Enrolled *

Number of Hours Working per Week *

Name and Address of Current Employer; Your Position *

Anticipated College Graduation Date: Month/Year *

Financial Information

Please List The Amounts For Your Anticipated School Year Below. If N/A, Enter 0.

Cost of Tuition and Fees *

Cost of Books *

Cost of Room & Board (If living at school) *

Additional Costs *

TOTAL COSTS *

Support From Other Scholarships *

Support from Other Sources *

Support From Earned Wages *

TOTAL SUPPORT *

Employment Information

List your work experience, starting with your most recent employer. Indicate company name, your position, dates of employment (mm/yyyy - mm/yyyy) and approximate number of hours worked each week.

Company Name; Position; Employment Dates; #Hours per Week *

Upload Resume or Employment History *

Max file size: 20MB

Extracurricular Involvement

List all academic, athletic, community, and volunteer activities in which you have participated in the past two years. Indicate special awards, honors, and offices held and the corresponding dates. Upload a separate document if necessary.

Activity / Number of Years / Awards & Honors / Offices Held *

Upload Additional Extracurricular Involvement *

Max file size: 20MB

Required Documents

Please upload the following files to ensure your application is deemed complete:

A typed essay (up to 500 words) answering: Why do you think the hotel or hospitality industry is the right career choice for you? How will this scholarship help you achieve your career objectives and future goals? FOR RENEWAL APPLICANTS: How has the IHLAEF scholarship you received last year helped you reach your goals? What are you doing to advance your future in the hotel industry? *

Max file size: 20MB

One letter of recommendation from an education professional, a current or former employer or industry professional *

Max file size: 20MB

For high school applicants, most recent high school or GED transcript including grade point average. For college applicants, current official or unofficial copy of transcript. *

Max file size: 20MB

CONFIRM ALL FILES HAVE BEEN UPLOADED AND THEN SUBMIT. ONLY ONE SUBMISSION PER APPLICANT, PLEASE.

Deadline to submit applications is Friday, June 7, 2024.

In submitting this application, I certify that the information provided is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. If requested, I agree to provide proof of the information that I have given on this form.

Type in Your Name to Certify *

First

Last

Today's Date *

Submit

Fund Distributions and Scholarship Process:

All communications between IHLAEF and the student concerning the scholarship process will be via email.
If selected, you will be notified in July with possible interview via zoom with the IHLAEF Scholarship Committee.
Awarding of scholarships will be at the sole discretion of the IHLAEF Scholarship Committee.
Scholarships are awarded in two payments in the fall and spring during the academic year. Payments will be made by check and sent directly to the college or university upon receipt of a current registration, transcript and class schedule of at least 6 credit hours.

For questions about the IHLAEF Scholarships and Named Donor Program, please contact:
Kristen Curnyn