- AHLA Foundation awarded 256 scholarships.
- Most recipients from underrepresented communities.
- Recipients attend 78 institutions.
THE AHLA FOUNDATION awarded more than $817,000 in academic scholarships to 256 students for the 2026–2027 academic year. The scholarships support students pursuing hospitality management and related degree programs nationwide.
Nearly 95 percent of this year’s recipients come from historically underrepresented communities, AHLA Foundation said in a statement. Recipients attend 78 institutions, including 52 AHLA-affiliated schools and 26 non-affiliated schools.
“These scholarships help cultivate the next generation of hospitality professionals by opening doors to education, industry experiences, and career opportunities,” said Kevin Carey, AHLA Foundation president and CEO.
The AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, awards the scholarships annually to students enrolled in hospitality management and related programs. Award decisions consider academic performance, extracurricular engagement, school or work recommendations and financial need.
The scholarships help recipients continue their education and prepare for careers in the hotel and lodging industry, the foundation said. The program supports students at institutions across the country, including schools outside the AHLA-affiliated network.
Lydia Rengering, an AHLA Foundation scholarship recipient at The University of Alabama, said the scholarship will ease education costs and support her studies, professional growth and hospitality experience.
“I am passionate about building a career where I can make a positive impact,” she said.
AHLA Foundation’s 2026 No Room for Trafficking Summit in Arlington, Virginia, brought together survivor advocates, government experts and hotel industry leaders to prevent human trafficking. The summit marked $10 million raised for the NRFT Survivor Fund.
