New York State ProStart Scholarship
Direct application
Eligibility
About this scholarship
Current or former New York State ProStart students accepted to or enrolled at an accredited postsecondary institution for a major in foodservice, culinary arts, hospitality management, or a related field may apply. Applicants must be full-time or substantial part-time students when funds are disbursed.
NYSRAEF awards scholarships of $2,500 to students committed to the restaurant and foodservice industry. Funds go directly to the educational institution after enrollment verification and must be used for undergraduate studies.
Apply by completing the full application form, mailing official transcripts, letters of recommendation, character reference forms, and a personal essay of 500 to 1,000 words on why you deserve the scholarship, your future goals, how ProStart shaped them, and your planned hospitality career.
Essay question
What else to submit
- Completed and signed application form
- Demographic information page
- Two letters of reference
- Two character reference forms from the same two reference providers
- Current school transcript
- Proof of postsecondary enrollment or acceptance
- Personal essay of 500 to 1,000 words
- Completed and signed application form
- Demographic information page
- Two letters of reference
- Two completed character reference forms (from the same two reference providers)
- Current school transcript (official preferred but not required)
- Proof of post-secondary enrollment (acceptance letter or tuition bill)
- Must be a current or former New York State ProStart student
- Must be attending or admitted to a post-secondary school majoring in foodservice, culinary arts, hospitality management, or related field (fall 2026 acceptance required)
- Application must be mailed and postmarked by May 22, 2026 (no faxed/emailed/late applications accepted)
- Applicant must be accepted to or enrolled at the postsecondary institution when applying; funds are disbursed after enrollment verification.
- Scholarship funds must be used for undergraduate studies.