Merit-Based Scholarships

You will be automatically considered for the following scholarships as part of the application process:

High-Impact Leader Scholarships

The CIA seeks students who have demonstrated academic excellence and will go on to become leaders in the foodservice industry. High-Impact Leader Scholarships will be awarded to students identified through the admissions process. A separate scholarship application is not necessary. These scholarships will be renewable annually with a grade point average of 3.2 or better.

SAT/ACT Achievement Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to students with SAT scores of 550 or better in Math and 550 or better in Critical Reading or ACT scores of 20 or better in Math and 20 or better in English. Qualifying students will receive a one-time, $2,000 scholarship for their first year in our degree programs. To be eligible for the SAT/ACT Achievement Scholarship, students must submit their official scores with their completed application for admission.

First Generation Inner-City Scholarships

The CIA offers scholarship assistance to students who were educated in major metropolitan areas of the United States and whose parents did not graduate from college. These scholarships are awarded based on exemplary high school records and achievements, as well as financial need as demonstrated by the FAFSA, and are renewable annually with a GPA of 3.0 or better. No application is necessary.

National Student Organization Competition Scholarships
For students who are members of SkillsUSA, ProStart®, or FCCLA. All of the following scholarships are renewable annually with a GPA of 3.2 or better.

• Students who compete and place first in national culinary or baking and pastry arts competitions sponsored by SkillsUSA will be offered a full-tuition scholarship to attend The Culinary Institute of America.
• Students who place second or third in SkillsUSA culinary or baking and pastry arts will be offered scholarships of up to $16,000 ($3,500–$4,000 per year).
• Students who compete and place in national culinary or baking and pastry arts competitions sponsored by Family Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) will be offered scholarships of up to $16,000 ($2,500–$4,000 per year).
• Students competing and placing in ProStart national competitions in culinary arts or management will receive scholarships of up to $8,000 ($1,250–$2,000 per year).
• Successful culinary or baking and pastry arts competitors in select states for all three organizations will be offered scholarships ranging from $4,000 to $12,000 ($1,000–$3,000 per year).

The following CIA scholarships require a separate application:

National Student Organization Member Scholarships

• Member Scholarship—NSO Members (members of SkillsUSA, ProStart®, or FCCLA) are eligible to apply for one of 30 non-renewable, $3,000 scholarships. Apply Now! (PDF 90 KB) This scholarship cannot be combined with any NSO competition scholarship.
• Officer Scholarship—Scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,500 will be offered to officers of SkillsUSA and FCCLA. Please indicate on your Member Scholarship form that you are an officer to qualify for this additional award.

Cream of the Crop Scholarship

Aspiring culinarians with outstanding academic and leadership skills can apply for the CIA's Cream of the Crop Scholarship. Twenty students will receive scholarships of up to $20,000 for the CIA's degree programs. This scholarship is $5,000 per year, and is renewable annually with a GPA of 3.2. To be eligible for the Cream of the Crop Scholarship, you must have a high school or college grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

M.F.K. Fisher Scholarship

Incoming students who have a demonstrated interest in food writing, and begin their studies at the CIA in the Winter or Spring enrollment seasons, are eligible to apply for this $2,000 scholarship (two scholarships are awarded for each season). To apply, you must submit a separate application. Your application will include an original essay of 500-700 words about a food memory, such as your first cooking experience, the first meal you prepared, a family holiday food tradition, or a childhood recollection of food. Apply Now! (PDF 47 KB) The due dates for the scholarships are as follows:

• Spring 2010—the scholarship form and essay are due to the Admissions Office by December 15, 2009.

The CIA's Alumni Referral Scholarship

The college offers this scholarship to prospective students who are encouraged to apply for admission by a CIA graduate. Qualifying students will receive a one-time, $500 scholarship for their first semester in our degree programs. To be eligible for the CIA Alumni Referral Scholarship, students must include a letter of recommendation from the CIA graduate with their application for admission.