Applications for scholarships for the 2021-2022 academic year:
• Opens Monday, March 1, 2021
• Closes Sunday, April 25, 2021

Unless otherwise noted, scholarship applicants should have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; however, students with a lower GPA will be strongly considered if they display attributes that demonstrate a commitment to excellence and a meaningful contribution to the industry. This can be shown through:

• Relevant work experience
• Awards/Special recognition received
• Community service
• Volunteer work
• Leadership positions in your church and/or community

If awarded, scholarship recipients must:

• Agree to make two presentations per year (including but not limited to classroom and lunchtime presentations to promote the scholarship application to other students, and speaking at donor and fundraising events designed to promote awareness and support of the KCT and its programs)
• Volunteer at a minimum of three KCT events per year
• Meet with their mentor as required (if applicable)
• Provide permission to reproduce their image in KCT marketing materials
• Write one blog post quarterly to be used on KCT social media channels and website
• Maintain full-time status
• Maintain minimum 3.0 GPA

Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, financial need, demonstrated skills and talents, and involvement in school and other extracurricular activities. Students enrolled in the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management programs may apply for scholarships if they demonstrate financial need and meet the qualifications below. We encourage former scholarship recipients who meet the qualifications to reapply for the 2021-2022 academic year.

KCT Premier Scholarship
The purpose of the Premier Scholarship is to provide support for students seeking a Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management.

Up to $15,000
Four equal disbursements beginning Summer quarter and ending Spring quarter (unless otherwise arranged)

Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, students must:

• Complete 36 credit hours by the summer quarter
• Complete the online scholarship application
• Demonstrate financial need – have a 2020-2021 financial aid application (FAFSA filed in the Financial Aid office*)
• Be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree
• Currently have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher
• Upload a 1000-word essay (will also be used for other applicable scholarships)
• Upload resume, biography, or Curriculum Vitae (CV), FAFSA confirmation page, and transcripts
• Provide three letters of recommendation, both personal and/or professional, from industry representatives, mentors, or employers (maximum one from an instructor)
• Prepare and submit no more than a five-minute video interview introducing yourself (an email will be sent following the receipt of your application for directions in completing this)
• Interview via Zoom with the Scholarship Committee on May 20

*International students must provide alternate documentation to demonstrate financial need.

Legacy, Memorial & Trust Scholarships
The purpose of the Legacy, Memorial & Trust Scholarships is to provide support for students seeking an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts and  Hospitality Management.

Up to $7,500
Four equal disbursements beginning Summer quarter and ending Spring quarter (unless otherwise arranged)

Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, students must:

• Complete 36 credit hours by the summer quarter
• Complete the scholarship application
• Demonstrate financial need – have a 2020-2021 financial aid application (FAFSA filed in the Financial Aid office*)
• Currently have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher
• Submit a 500-word essay (unless submitting a 1,000-word essay for the premier scholarship)
• Upload resume, biography, or Curriculum Vitae (CV), FAFSA confirmation page, and transcripts
• Prepare and submit no more than a five-minute video interview introducing yourself (an email will be sent following the receipt of your application for directions in completing this)
• Be available for a possible interview with Scholarship Committee on May 20
• See available scholarships for additional requirements

*International students must provide alternate documentation to demonstrate financial need.

Legacy scholarships available for 2021-2022:

• Raymond Geraldson Jr.
• Marjorie Fox Wieland – available to a female student, 1st or 2nd generation descendent

Memorial Scholarships available for 2021-2022:

• William P. O’Connell – available to Culinary or Beverage student
• Ronayne and Forrest Leahy-Thomas Memorial – available to Culinary student

Sponsored Scholarships
Sponsored Scholarships provide support for students seeking an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management.

Up to $8,000
Four equal disbursements beginning Summer quarter and ending Spring quarter (unless otherwise arranged)

Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, students must:

• Complete 36 credit hours by the summer quarter
• Complete the scholarship application
• Demonstrate financial need – have a 2020-2021 financial aid application (FAFSA filed in the Financial Aid office*)
• Currently have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA
• Upload a 500-word essay (unless submitting a 1,000-word essay for the premier scholarship)
• Upload resume, biography, or Curriculum Vitae (CV), FAFSA confirmation page, and transcripts
• Prepare and submit no more than a five-minute video interview introducing yourself (an email will be sent following the receipt of your application for directions in completing this)
• Be available for a possible interview with Scholarship Committee on May 20
• See available scholarships for additional requirements

*International students must provide alternate documentation to demonstrate financial need.

Sponsored Scholarships available for 2021-2022:

• Chaîne des Rôtisseurs – available to Culinary student
• International Wine & Food Society of Chicago – available to Culinary and/or Beverage student
• John H. Zimmermann Merit Scholarship and Service Award – available to Culinary or Hospitality student

Students applying for Kendall College Trust scholarships understand and agree that their academic and financial records will be shared amongst their college, Kendall College Trust, and members of the scholarship committee.

Selection Process
Selection will be based on the student’s overall academic progress, financial need, extracurricular activities, participation in industry activities, a written essay, and letters of recommendations. Each of these areas will be weighted with the following percentages:

• Essay – 25%
• Financial Need – 25%
• GPA – 25%
• Honors, Awards & Leadership – 10%
• Extracurricular Activities – 10%
• Letters of recommendation and resume – 5%

Interview Process
Not all students will be called in for an interview. This should not be taken as an indication of whether one will receive an award. All students must submit an introductory video by May 3. Interviews via Zoom will take place on May 20 with the scholarship committee. You will be notified via email to schedule your time preference.

Notice of Awards
Students will be notified by email and mail of scholarship committee decisions on or before June 15, 2021. 

Renewal of Scholarship
Scholarships are not automatically renewed. All scholarship recipients are encouraged to reapply in future years if scholarship funds are needed.

Revocation of Scholarship
The Kendall College Trust reserves the right to cancel or discontinue any scholarship at any time if the applicant, among other things, has falsified any information reported to the Trust, fails to meet the standards of academic progress, fails to meet all continuing scholarship eligibility and participation requirements, fails to comply with the rules and regulations of their College, or demonstrates inappropriate conduct or behavior in or out of their College that could reflect unfavorably on the reputation of the Trust.

Continuing Scholarship Eligibility
Maintaining full-time status and requisite GPA is mandatory for retaining your scholarship. Should a student need to drop to part-time enrollment, please make the Trust office aware of the situation in writing, and a determination will be made on a case-by-case basis. Failure to notify the office prior to the start of the quarter will result in a forfeiture of your scholarship.

Scholarship Deadline
April 25, 2021

Questions
If you have questions regarding the Kendall College Trust scholarships or application process, please contact:

Kendall College Trust
Scholarships@kendallcollegetrust.org

(312) 752-2352

Essay Guidelines

The premier scholarship essay requires a minimum word count of 1,000. This essay will also be applicable to all other scholarships where you satisfy the criteria. If you are not applying for the premier scholarship, a 500-word count minimum is required.

The Scholarship Selection Committee is interested in more than just your GPA. You are unique, so think of your essay as an excellent and critical opportunity to give members of the selection committee a sense of who you are beyond your GPA and resume.

In the essay, it is important to convey how your leadership, goals, and strengths meet the scholarship’s statement of purpose and qualifications. This includes:

Who are you? What makes you stand out? Do you work part-time (or full-time) in addition to your studies? Are you your family’s main financial contributor? Are you involved in your college or industry activities?

Candidates’ essays should include aspects of their personality, goals, and achievements and how those relate to the scholarship for which they are applying. Emphasize why this scholarship is critical to your success and how it will help you further your personal, academic, and professional goals at your college and beyond.

Choose one of the following essay questions to answer:

• If we were to be sitting with you three years from now, what would have had to have happened to you both personally and or professionally for you to feel that you have benefited from this scholarship?
• Working with others usually involves some give and take. Describe a time when you worked out an agreement with a peer or team member. What did you do? What was the result?
• “The way to do is to be” Please describe what this means to you.
• Please discuss your “dream” job in the hospitality industry – think big!
• If you had unlimited financial resources and exceptional backing, how would you use your culinary or business skills to make a difference?
• If you were the chef or owner of a major restaurant, what would you name the restaurant? Where would it be located? What would be your signature appetizer, entrée, and dessert?  
• If your personal vision is to serve the hospitality industry in another capacity, what would be your dream job or organization where you could use your talents and skills to the maximum benefit of individuals served by your ideal establishment?
• If awarded a scholarship, how do you envision this impacting your life and studies?
• What do you think is more important – exceeding a guest’s expectation of service, or achieving the financial goals of your business?
• Discuss how your interest in your field or major developed and describe your experience in the field – such as volunteer work or internships – and what you gained from this involvement.
• What experience or individual (mentor, instructor, class, etc.) has influenced you to pursue a career in the culinary or hospitality industry? Please include in your essay a discussion of your career goals.

Essays may be submitted separately via email to scholarships@kendallcollegetrust.org and should be single-spaced, except when spaces separate paragraphs.