California Restaurant Association Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by California Restaurant Association

Introduction
For more than 40 years the California Restaurant Foundation (CRF) has provided college scholarships to students preparing for careers in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality fields. Awards generally range up to $4,000 per year (the Guy Fieri Foundation scholarship can fund up to $5,000). In the most recent cycle the Foundation distributed $177,650 in co-branded scholarships to 83 students.

2026 Application
The 2026 CRF scholarship application will be available beginning January. All application materials must be submitted by the announced deadline. Awards are competitive and decided on the basis of the completed application, an essay, and documented industry experience. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Scholarship payments are made in two disbursements after the recipient provides proof of enrollment for two semesters.

Scholarship Types
- General Scholarship
- Amounts: up to $2,000 for students in 2-year programs; up to $4,000 for students in 4-year programs
- Requirements: documented hospitality/restaurant work hours, minimum 2.50 GPA, and an essay

- Guy Fieri Foundation Scholarship
- Amounts: $2,000 to $5,000
- Creative submission: a 30‑second video OR two photos with captions responding to “What inspires you?”
- Requirements: documented hospitality/restaurant work hours and a minimum 2.50 GPA

- Wienerschnitzel / Galardi Group, Inc. Scholarship
- Amount: at least $2,000
- Eligibility note: applicants (or an immediate family member) who work for Wienerschnitzel, Hamburger Stand, or the Galardi Group are encouraged to apply
- Additional note: each year CRF awards dozens of scholarships to qualified high school seniors and undergraduate students pursuing studies related to the industry

Eligibility (applicant must meet all of the following)
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- California resident (attendance at an out‑of‑state school is permitted)
- Enrolled or planning to enroll in at least nine credit hours at an accredited, foodservice-related postsecondary program for two consecutive semesters/terms beginning in the fall
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale
- In good academic standing at the school for the second half of the award period
- Have completed at least one grading term of postsecondary study, or be a high school senior going directly to postsecondary school
- Satisfy the required minimum industry work hours (paid or volunteer):
- 250 hours for high school students entering freshman year
- 400 hours for college freshmen entering sophomore year
- 550 hours for students beyond the sophomore year

All reported work experience must be verifiable through paycheck stubs or a signed letter from employers.

Required Documents (to accompany the signed application)
- A copy of the program curriculum (from a college catalog or official website) showing the major/degree, number of credit hours, and degree requirements
- A high school or college transcript (does not have to be an official sealed copy, but must originate from the school)
- Proof of the required hospitality/restaurant work experience (scanned paycheck stubs or a scanned employer letter verifying hours). Do not submit W-2 forms.

If you have questions about eligibility or document requirements, contact CRF for clarification before submitting.