THE AHLA FOUNDATION awarded nearly $1 million, approximately $944,000, in scholarships to 369 students enrolled in hospitality programs at 88 colleges and universities nationwide. The foundation has disbursed more than $16 million in scholarships to date, supporting thousands of future industry leaders.
It offers two types of scholarships: self-nominated, allowing students from any school to compete for one of eight scholarships, and school-nominated, requiring attendance at one of the foundation’s 67 affiliated schools.
“Scholarships are an integral part of the foundation’s commitment to elevating, educating, and empowering individuals as they pursue careers in the hotel industry,” said Anna Blue, AHLA Foundation’s president. “These scholarships make it possible for the next generation of leaders to find their place in hospitality.”
The AHLA Foundation also awarded more than $30,000 to more than 20 students in a pilot freshman scholarship program. Three community colleges—Frederick Community College, Northampton Community College and Valencia College—participated to boost interest and enrollment in their hospitality programs.
This year, the foundation launched a portal enabling students to assess eligibility and apply for multiple scholarships with a single application.
The AHLA Foundation Academic Scholarship Program is funded by contributions from the AHLAF General Campaign, AHLA Foundation Hospitality 2000 Campaign, Americas Lodging Investment Summit, AHLAF New Century Fund, National Restaurant Association, John Clifford Memorial Fund, Cecil B. Day Memorial Fund, Handlery Hotels, Conrad N. Hilton Memorial Fund, Creighton Holden Memorial Fund, Hospitality Asset Managers Association, Steve Hymans Extended Stay Scholarship, Richard Kessler, J. Willard Marriott Memorial Fund, Joseph McInerney Scholarship, Curtis C. Nelson Fund, and individual contributions to the AHLA Foundation’s Annual Giving Fund.
At the third annual No Room for Trafficking Summit on July 30, the AHLA Foundation granted $1 million to eight community organizations supporting human trafficking survivors, aligning with the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
