2026 ORA/OHLA OSU Student Scholarship Application
Scholarships are offered to OSUIT and OSU HTM Students for the 2026-2027 academic year. The deadline to apply is 3/2/2026 by END OF BUSINESS DAY - 5pm. All applications and supporting documentation must be submitted no later than midnight on the deadline. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Applicant Requirements
- Applicants must provide proof that they are: Currently enrolled in a post-secondary culinary/hospitality program at OSUIT or OSU HTM
- Must have performed a minimum of 250 hours of related work experience in the hospitality field
- Must obtain and submit two letters of recommendation:
- One from a faculty member or advisor
- One letter from your off-campus employer or from another hospitality industry employer (if you only work on-campus a letter from your on-campus jobs supervisor is acceptable)
4. Must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
Required Documentation
1. Compose an essay (at least 500 words) and share the following:
- Your reason(s) for applying for a scholarship;
- Why you feel you should receive a scholarship;
- Specific details about your work experience (hospitality-related or non-related) to date;
- What hospitality career path do you plan to pursue, and why;
- Your future goals.
2. Provide copies of paycheck stubs or letter(s) from employer(s) indicating that applicant has completed a minimum of 250 hours of hospitality-related work.
3. A copy of your current college or high school transcript.
4. Two letters of recommendation:
- One from a faculty member or advisor
- One letter from your hospitality industry employer or another person from the hospitality industry with whom you have a relationship.
(If you only work on-campus, a letter from your on-campus job supervisor is acceptable) Each of the letters must be signed and on business and/or OSU letterhead to be accepted).
How Scholarship Applications are Selected
Applications will be preliminarily reviewed to verify the accuracy of the application and the required documents that have been received. Once eligibility is confirmed scholarship applicants will be contacted by email with instructions regarding if they have been selected to for a scholarship interview. Those approved for scholarships will be informed by email after interviews have taken place.
Interview Date/Location
The Scholarship Committees of the ORA and the OHLA will interview qualifying applicants at an in-person interview. The 2026 Interviews will be held on April 2, 2026 on campus at OSU/Stillwater in the HTM department. Students will be informed of the date/time/location directly by email if they are selected for a scholarship interview.