Scholarships
Investing in your business education is one of the best decisions you will ever make. How do you plan to pay for your education? You have many options and may be eligible for more assistance than you think. Plan early and you’ll be better prepared.
Scholarships may be awarded based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, financial need, and/or major. We are grateful to the donors who have chosen to make a difference in our students’ lives. To follow is a brief description of each of our current scholarships.
Basic criteria and application deadlines for scholarships
The next application period will be open from January 15 to April 15, 2025.
- If you are applying for the FCB MBA program that begins Fall 2025 or you are graduating December 2025, you ARE eligible to apply.
- If you are graduating in Spring 2025 or Summer 2025, you are NOT eligible to apply.
- It is highly recommended that you submit a FAFSA form each year as information from that process is essential in the awarding of many of our scholarships
- The Scholarship Committee will consider applications only from those students who comply with all the following basic criteria:
- Be a student in the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0
- Have completed at least 15 credit hours to be considered for a scholarship
- The committee will match applicants with the scholarship(s) for which they are most qualified (according to the specific criteria of each scholarship) and make decisions considering the total information available
How to apply
For questions, problems with the application process, or inability to utilize the web application due to a disability, please contact FCB/HRM Scholarship Coordinator: Dee Dee Theiss at 928-523-7360 or Deanna.Theiss@nau.edu.
For assistance with scholarship essay writing, visit the Business Communication Center at one of our locations or online. Tutors help with any stage of the writing process: brainstorming, outlining, drafting, revising, editing, and more!
Commemorative and named scholarships
Established by Dr. Wanda Costen in honor of her parents, Richard D. and Janet M. Costen, who provided constant support and encouragement for their children to achieve a college education. This fund will provide travel support for students meeting these requirements: Full-time HRM undergraduate student; First generation; Demonstrated Financial Need; GPA of 2.5 or greater.
Established to honor life and legacy of Dr. Byron Marlowe at NAU. Requirements: HRM student; Sophomore, Junior, or Senior; GPA 3.0 or greater; Preference given to exemplary leader in HRM and students expressing interest in the beverage sector.
Requirements: Full-time HRM student; GPA 3.0 or greater; Financial Need; Preference to students pursuing a career in hospitality financial or technology industry.
Full-time HRM student; Junior or Senior; GPA 3.25 or greater; Preference for HRM extracurricular involvement, NAU activities, and/or community service/work experience. Non-renewable.
Established in the memory of legendary chef Tomaso Maggiore by the Tomaso Maggiore Culinary Arts Foundation in celebration of Tomaso’s life and dedication to the culinary industry. Requirements: HRM students; Junior and Senior; Interest in Restaurant Management; GPA 3.5 or greater.
Applications are accepted only through the NAU Foundation. Established by Richard Barrett Burns, a former attorney and municipal firefighter, who himself excelled scholastically throughout his academic career and had a love of lifelong learning. Requirements: 3.3 GPA; Full-time student; Female; Demonstrated financial need.
Applications are accepted only through the NAU Foundation. Established by Melissa Collins Cripps (’88) in memory of her grandmother, Garnet Byers, as a tribute to her life and dedication to teaching. Requirement: Female HRM student.
Christopher and Kimberly Clements and Golden Eagle Distributors, Inc. established this scholarship in honor of the ongoing commitment of their parents, Bill and Ginny Clements, to NAU. Requirements: 3.0 GPA; Preference given to student that have a restaurant emphasis and/or interest in lounge management.
Established by Wanda M. Costen, Ph.D., past executive director of HRM, in honor of her parents, Richard D. and Janet M. Costen, who provided constant support and encouragement for their children to achieve a college education. The fund is used to provide financial support to students to travel internationally. Requirements: FT Undergraduate Student; HRM major; 2.5 GPA; 1st generation; Demonstrated financial need.
Established to assist students committed to the hospitality business. Ron Evans is a professor and former dean of the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management, and the past president and CEO of Best Western International Hotel chain. Requirements: Full-time student; Demonstrated a commitment to the hospitality business; Demonstrated financial need; 3.0 GPA or higher.
Established by Dr. Frances Ann Hill McBroom and Gerald Francis McBroom in honor of Jillian Groh (’06), whose story inspired the 2012 “Oath of Hospitality Professionals”. Requirements: Junior or senior; Full- or part-time student; Financial need.
Established in the memory of Mark Hicks (’98) who had a passion and talent for the culinary profession and aspired to be an executive chef. Requirements: 3.0 GPA; Sophomore status or above; Demonstrated financial need; Renewable up to and including student’s senior year, as long as 3.0 GPA is maintained.
Established by the Helios Education Foundation as an honor to longtime board member Frederick Himmelein. The Helios Education Foundation is dedicated to enriching lives in Arizona and Florida. Requirements: Demonstrated financial need; 3.0 GPA.
Established in memory of Mark Hirte (’83) and awarded to meritorious HRM majors. Requirement: Member of Delta Sigma Pi.
Established by Lenka Hospodka and Samuel Powell in memory of Lenka’s mother, Vera Hospodka, who believed strongly in lifelong learning, scholarship, and unlimited opportunities. Requirements: HRM major; Full-time student; 3.0 GPA.
Established by Dr. Eugene (’97) and Dr. Margaret Ann (’81) Hughes. Dr. Eugene Hughes served as the president of NAU from 1979 to 1993. Dr. Margaret Ann Hughes served in a variety of roles for Student Affairs, creating many innovative programs. Requirements: Full-time student; 3.0 GPA.
This award is in honor and memory of Pablo Benjes a 1996 School of Hotel and Restaurant Management graduate. Requirements: Full-time student; 3.0 GPA; Preference given to CULT Café student volunteer.
Established by Larry and Joyce Kern who were very pleased with the quality of education their sons Cameron (’85) and Craig (’96) Kern received from NAU. Craig majored in HRM, graduated Cum Laude in his class and earned Eta Sigma Delta & Phi Kappa Phi honors. Requirements: HRM major; Full-time student; Junior or senior; 3.0 GPA or higher.
Established by Clark (’91) and Paige (’93) Lund in memory of Clark’s mother Kathryn Stevens Lund. Mrs. Lund was a career educator and education advocate who impacted the lives of many children in her 20+ years of teaching. Requirements: HRM major; Actively involved in community service; 3.0 GPA or higher.
Established by Patrick and Julie Nackard (’78) to honor Patrick’s mother, Monica Nackard, and the significant role the Nackard family has had in shaping NAU, the Flagstaff community, and the state of Arizona. Requirement: HRM majors.
Established by the Finley family in honor of Mark Finley’s dear friends, Ray and Patty Newton. Renewable. Requirements: HRM majors; Special consideration for non-traditional students (ex. self-supporting student, transfer student, single parents); Must have completed at least 24 hours at NAU.
Established by Nava (’00) and Leticia Thuraisingam (’98) to support students at the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. Requirements: HRM majors; GPA 2.5 or greater; Full-time students; First-generation students; Financial need; Preference to students who work min 15hr per week in paid employment, internship, or volunteer role.
The Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) advances the profession of club management by fulfilling the educational and related needs of its members. This scholarship was renamed in 2016 to honor Paul Skelton, longtime member of CMAA, for his contribution to the club as past CMAA president and various other leadership roles. He will be forever remembered for the classic Paul Skelton smile. Requirements: HRM major; 2.5 GPA; Member of CMAA Student Chapter.
Established by Bruce Turner (’79) to encourage Arizona students in the same way his family encouraged his studies. Awarded to a full time freshman or sophomore who is an Arizona high school graduate. Renewable. Requirements: HRM majors; Full-time freshman or sophomore student; Arizona high school graduate; 2.5 GPA or higher.
Established by friends and family from around the world to honor the life of Andrew Tuttle, a 2004 business graduate. Requirements: Demonstrated financial need; Undergraduate in The W. A. Franke College of Business; Preference for student travel; 3.0 GPA.
Applications are accepted only through the NAU Foundation. Established by Phyllis Warner (’71) and Arthur Nethercot in honor of the late Professor Phyllis Randall Shutt and alumna Jan Romero Stevens (’75). Requirements: Native American; HRM major; GPA 2.5; Demonstrated financial need; Preference for a female student.
Established by the Pappas Restaurants in memory of Andrew Hooker (’02). Andrew loved everything about working in the restaurant business but especially his relationships with employees and customers. Requirements: HRM major; Full-time student; 3.0 GPA.
Established to support hard-working students who are involved in the campus community. Requirements: Full-time HRM Student; Sophomore, Junior or Senior; Preferences shall be given to students who participate in Fraternity and Sorority Life at NAU an/or students who work at least part-time while attending NAU.
Established by HRM with contributions from the Casino Night and Golf Tournament committees to honor Peter Van Kleek, the founding dean and chief architect of The School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. Requirements: Full-time student; HRM major; GPA 2.5 or higher; Involved in HRM leadership activities.
Established by David A. Williams (’61), dean of the School of Hotel & Restaurant Management from 1992–1997. Requirement: HRM students.
Corporate-sponsored scholarships
The American Hotel and Lodging Educational Foundation is the fundraising division of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, and is the primary source of financial support for lodging industry-related research and educational opportunities. Requirements: Students are nominated by HRM and requires additional application on AHLA website; Enrolled FT (12 hours, except Rama Schlp and Graduate students); U.S. Citizen; Completed 36 credit hours at time of nomination; 3.0 GPA or higher.
Applications accepted only through the NAU Foundation. Choice Hotels International is one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world with 11 hotel brands.
Applications accepted only through the NAU Foundation. Darden Restaurants Foundation established the fund to support the educational financial needs of HRM students. Requirements: 3.0 GPA; Underrepresented minority students; Interest in the restaurant and food service program; Demonstrated financial need.
This fund is jointly established by the ACDBE restaurant business partners of HMS Host at Sky Harbor Airport to provide a core support avenue for future restaurateurs that have the passion to be in the food industry and that demonstrate a financial need. Requirements: Undergraduate HRM student; Demonstrates financial need; Student is in good academic standing; Resident of Maricopa County, AZ; Interested in the restaurant industry; Scholarships will be used for tuition and fees.
The Enterprise Holdings scholarship was established to support HRM students who wish to pursue excellence in guest services and sales. Requirements: HRM students.
The Eurest Dining Services scholarship was established to support HRM students interested and who have demonstrated potential for success in the food service industry. Requirements: HRM major; Interest in pursuing a career in the food industry; Financial need.
The Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts Scholarship was established for HRM students who have an interest in the luxury hotel industry and show interest in developing and fostering ethnic and racial diversity in the workplace. Requirements: Undergraduate enrolled in the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management; Junior or senior at time of receipt; Student may be enrolled as part-time or full-time status; Demonstrate financial need; Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0; Stated interest in luxury/spa industry as demonstrated by curriculum taken, internships, work experience, and other extracurricular activities.
Hyatt presents this scholarship recognizing the need for well-educated and industry ready leadership in hospitality. As a strong partner with NAU’s School of Hotel and Restaurant Management this scholarship assists five students pursuing careers in the lodging industry. Requirements: Full-time HRM students; Grade point average of 2.5 or greater (4.0 = A); Students who continue to meet the award criteria may reapply for this scholarship; Preferences shall be given to students who show evidence of community service.
In memory of Rudy Kratzenberg, a former vice president of Operations for InnSuites International, who passed away at an early age. Requirements: 2.5 GPA; Demonstrated financial need; US citizen; Resident of the State of Arizona.
Supports students from federally recognized Indian Tribes interested in entrepreneurship with the long-term goal of improving economic circumstances and quality of life for their communities. Requirement: Member of a federally recognized tribe.
The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation created the Marriott Centennial Scholars, an endowed scholarship program, to benefit financially needy and deserving students. Requirements: HRM major; Demonstrates financial need; Excellent overall academic standing; Preference to underrepresented students.
Supports students from federally-recognized Indian Tribes interested in entrepreneurship with the long-term goal of improving economic circumstances and quality of life for their communities. Requirements: Member of a federally recognized tribe; Interest in entrepreneurship; 2.0 GPA or higher; Full or part-time students; Financial need; Not an NAU employee; Preference for Pascua Yaqui tribe undergraduate.
Originally established by Wigwam Resort to honor the illustrious career of Cecil Ravenswood, a veteran hotelier, for his many years of excellence in all phases of resort management. Requirements: Full-time student; Demonstrate financial need; 3.0 GPA.
This scholarship is for a sophomore, junior or senior majoring in Hotel & Restaurant Management and who is also pursuing a career in food service upon graduation. Requirements: HRM major; Full-time student; GPA 3.0 or higher; Preference to student pursuing a career in the food service industry.
Requirements: Enrolled full time in the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management; Junior or senior class level; Grade point average of 2.5 or greater (where 4.0 = A); Preference shall be given to students whose career goal is to work in the K-12 Nutrition industry; Students who continue to meet the award criteria may reapply for this scholarship.
Awarded to HRM students from the greater Phoenix metropolitan area with potential for success in the hotel industry. Requirements: HRM majors; Demonstrate good potential for success in hotel industry; Preference to students from high schools and comm colleges in greater Phoenix; Preference to children of members of the Valley Hotel & Resort Association.
Faculty and HRM-sponsored scholarships
Established by John Cauvin, a 30-year, multi-cultural hospitality-industry veteran and Executive-in-Residence at NAU. Requirements: Undergraduate students enrolled in the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management; GPA 3.0 or greater (4.0 = A); Enrolled in a minimum of 15 credits each semester; Working at least 20 hours per week during the semester; Enrolled in an internship or have completed at least 600 work hours in the hospitality industry; Students with intent to graduate in the fall semester are not eligible for the scholarship.
This fund is established through the proceeds generated by the annual Casino Night, an event that raises funds as well as awareness for HRM. The event also provides a training opportunity for students. Preference given to those who have participated in the class and/or event. Requirements: HRM majors; Preference to students who volunteer at Casino Night.
This fund is established through the proceeds generated by the HRM Golf Tournament, an event to raise scholarship funds and provide training opportunities for students. Requirements: HRM majors; Preference to students who volunteer at the Golf Tournament
Awarded to an outstanding HRM student worker. Requirements: HRM student worker; 2.0 GPA.
Additional scholarship opportunities
Please keep in mind that these scholarships may have different application processes, so begin your search early.
The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid offers a variety of ways to finance your education, including scholarships, grants, and loans. Scholarship application opens in March!
The NAU Foundation offers many scholarships made possible by our generous donors. This application is already part of the general application for HRM scholarships. By applying to the NAU Foundation scholarship application, you will also apply to HRM scholarships within this same application.
American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) budgets more than $1 million each year to give away in hospitality-related scholarships. AHLA offers nine scholarship programs from freshman to graduate level eligibility for part-time and full-time students. The application opens in November and closes in February. Many awards given to HRM students each year – don’t miss out!
National and International Scholarships and Fellowships (NISF) helps students refine their applications and connect to resources in order to be more competitive on the national/international level.
NEWH, Inc. is offering scholarships for students pursuing a career objective in Hospitality Management. Learn more and apply on NEWH. Make sure to check out the NEWH AZ chapter scholarship as well.
The Tillman Military Scholarship covers direct study-related expenses, including tuition and fees, books, and living stipend, for eligible active-duty service members, veterans, and military spouses. Students must be pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate degree as a full-time student at a public or private, U.S.-based accredited institution.
The National Council for Aging Care offers a guide on Military Veteran Benefit Options.