Scholarships by American Express
Finding the money to pay for your education may present a challenge. Students who do not wish to graduate with a large student loan obligation may turn to grants and scholarships as a way to finance college without the need for repayment. American Express, the issuer of credit and charge cards, currently has four ongoing scholarship programs. In addition, American Express periodically offers one-time scholarship competitions.
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American Express Scholarship
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The American Express Scholarship is administered by the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Foundation. American Express provided an initial endowment of $500,000 in 1994 for the scholarship fund. Applicants must be either employees or dependents of employees who work at least 20 hours weekly for a hotel or motel that is a member of the American Hotel and Lodging Association and has a minimum of one year's experience in the hotel industry. Students may attend any college, but must seek a degree in a major related to the hospitality industry, such as culinary arts, hotel management or tourism and travel. Scholarships for those seeking associate degrees are $500 for part-time students and $1,000 for full-time students. Scholarships for those seeking a four-year degree are $1,000 for part-time students and $2,000 for full-time students. The number of scholarships varies by year, but the average number awarded is nine. Application packets must be submitted no later than May 1 for the following fall semester. Applications received after that date are not retained for the following year. Information and applications can be found at the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Foundation's website.
American Express Beacon Scholarship
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The American Express Beacon Scholarship provides at least two scholarships annually. The scholarships are for a minimum of $2,000 and cover tuition fees at the student's choice of accredited culinary schools. Students must be American citizens who have completed high school. The James Beard Foundation administers the awards. Applicants must complete an application and provide his transcript, an essay, two references, and a statement of financial need. The deadline for applications is May 1 of each year. Forms and information are available at the James Beard Foundation's website.
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American Express Jesse Blackman Academy of Hospitality and Tourism Scholarship
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The American Express Jesse Blackman/AOHT Scholarship awards one, non-renewable scholarship annually in the amount of $1,500. Applicants must be a senior in high school who will be graduating from a National Academy Foundation Hospitality and Tourism Academy with at least a 3.0 grade point average in his Academy courses. Students must plan to major in a field related to tourism and hospitality. A committee evaluates applications on the basis of academic record, achievements, activities, and the student's essay and letters of recommendation he provides. Details and the application form can be found on the National Academy Foundation's website.
American Express Professional Development Scholarship
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Employees of hotels who are members of the American Hospitality and Lodging Association who work at least 35 hours weekly and who have at least one year of hotel experience may apply for the American Express Professional Development Scholarship. The award pays for the cost of distance learning courses to obtain professional certification. Covered costs include study guides as well as testing and certification fees. Awards are quarterly, with deadlines on the first of January, April, July and October. Applications and additional information is available at the website for the American Hospitality and Lodging Educational Foundation website.
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References
- American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation: American Express Scholarship
- EdFed: American Express Scholarship
- eNotes.com: Scholarships, Fellowships and Loans, James Beard Foundation
- National Academy Foundation: American Express Jesse Blackman Academy of Hospitality & Tourism Scholarship
- National Academy Foundation Scholarship Programs, 2011-12 FAQs
- American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation: American Express Professional Development Scholarship
Resources
- Photo Credit hotel image by Martin RICHIARDONE from Fotolia.com
