California Restaurant Association Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by California Restaurant Association

Summary for students — what the California Restaurant Foundation scholarship is and how to apply

Quick overview
- For more than 40 years the California Restaurant Foundation (CRF) has helped students who want careers in hospitality, culinary arts, food science and related fields. This year the Foundation awarded $177,650 to 83 students.
- Awards range from community-college amounts up through four‑year scholarships; Guy Fieri–backed awards can be as much as $5,000.
- The 2026 CRF scholarship application goes live in January. All materials must be submitted by the posted deadline. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
- Scholarships are competitive and are decided on the basis of the application, an essay (when required), and documented industry experience. Awards are paid in two installments after you provide proof of enrollment for two semesters.

Which scholarships are offered (high-level)
1) General Scholarship
- Amount: up to $2,000 for 2‑year programs; up to $4,000 for 4‑year programs.
- You’ll need: documented industry work hours (see eligibility below), a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and an essay.

2) Guy Fieri Foundation Scholarship
- Amount: $2,000–$5,000.
- Creative requirement: submit a 30‑second video OR two photos with captions that answer: “What inspires you?”
- You’ll also need the same work‑hour verification and a minimum 2.5 GPA.

3) Wienerschnitzel / Galardi Group, Inc. Scholarship
- Amount: at least $2,000.
- Eligibility: open to applicants who work for, or whose immediate family members work for, Wienerschnitzel, Hamburger Stand, or other Galardi Group brands.
- CRF awards many scholarships each year to high school seniors and undergraduates pursuing restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality studies.

Who is eligible
To qualify you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Be a California resident (you may attend an out‑of‑state school).
- Be enrolled in, or plan to be enrolled in, a minimum of nine credit hours in an accredited foodservice‑related postsecondary program for two consecutive semesters/terms beginning in the fall.
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 on a 4.0 scale.
- Be in good standing with your school for the second half of the award (verification required).
- Have completed at least one grading term of postsecondary coursework, or be a high school senior going directly to postsecondary school.
- Meet the minimum industry‑related work experience hours (paid or volunteer), verified by pay stubs or an employer letter:
- High school students entering college freshmen year: 250 hours
- College freshmen entering sophomore year: 400 hours
- Students beyond sophomore year: 550 hours

Required documents (submit these with your signed application)
- A copy of your program curriculum (from the college catalog or website) showing your major/degree, credit hours, and degree requirements.
- A current transcript from your high school or college. It does not have to be a sealed official transcript, but it must come from the school.
- Proof of required restaurant/hospitality work experience: scanned paycheck stubs or a signed letter from your employer verifying hours. Do not send W‑2 copies.

Important notes and a short checklist
- Applications open in January — check the CRF website for the exact date and final deadline.
- Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed.
- Awards are distributed in two payments after you submit proof of enrollment for two semesters.
- Start now: gather your transcripts, confirm your program curriculum, collect pay stubs or employer letters, draft your essay, and, if applying for the Guy Fieri scholarship, plan and record your 30‑second video or prepare two meaningful photos with captions.

If you want, bring me a draft of your essay or describe your video idea and I’ll help you tighten it up before you submit.