A-B Tech is one of 10 pilot schools in the country to be selected
American Hotel & Lodging Foundation (AHLA) unveiled a new scholarship program to partner with 10 two-year hospitality programs around the country. The new endeavor will provide $100,000 to students to students in the 2021-22 2academic year. Since its founding, the AHLA Foundation has distributed nearly $14 million in scholarship funds to promising hospitality management students across the nation.
The newly created two-year hospitality scholarship program will provide meaningful support to deserving hospitality associate degree holders, particularly those who may not otherwise have access to an education. These scholarships will cover a substantial portion of students’ tuition and school costs for a year.
“This was really a big win for our students,” said Cathy Horton, Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts Chair. “We now have a wealth of scholarship money to be shared between our three programs – Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, and Baking and Pastry Arts. This came about from the efforts of Instructor Walter Rapetski who worked closely with AHLA to make this happen.”
To pilot the program, the AHLA Foundation has partnered with A-B Tech Community College, Collin College, City College of San Francisco, Frederick Community College, Greenville Technical College, Kirkwood Community College, Pima Community College, University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech, University of the District of Columbia, and Valencia College.
“Through collaboration with the AHLA we were able to bring back scholarship opportunities to our hospitality students,” said Hospitality Instructor Walter Rapetski. “The AHLA was instrumental in listening to and understanding the needs of the community college student and how to construct a scholarship program that met such needs. The AHLA constructed scholarship criteria that fits the students of today at our community colleges. The significant amount awarded to each student will greatly assist in students completing their degree.”
The AHLA Foundation will begin accepting applications for the 2021-2022 scholarship season in Fall 2020. For more information about AHLAF scholarships and other programs, visit www.ahlafoundation.org.