The CIA has many different types of aid opportunities based on academic program. Students should reference the section below that pertains to their program and/or campus to see what is available. Students must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) minimum requirements as outlined above to receive institutional aid. Unless otherwise noted, institutional aid does not apply to international students or students in the online Bachelor in Food Business Leadership program. Institutional aid is awarded, unless otherwise specified, for a maximum of four semesters for students entering an associate degree program as a freshman, four semesters for students entering a bachelor's degree program after completing an associate degree at the CIA, eight semesters for students entering a bachelor's degree program as a freshman, two semesters for the certificate program, and five semesters for the online master's program. One additional semester will be granted for students who enroll in the 138-credit bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management or change programs. Additional semesters of aid will not be granted due to course failures. Students must be attending full time in order to have the funds applied to their student account. CIA Awards cannot exceed direct costs. Students who withdraw during a semester will have their institutional funds prorated by the percentage of tuition they are responsible for. For the applicable percentages, please see the Withdrawal Refund Policy for each campus in the Tuition and Fees section.
Associate and Bachelor's Degree Programs
New York and California Campuses
CIA Excellence Award
The CIA seeks students who have demonstrated academic excellence as shown by their GPA (high school, college, or both), leadership qualities, and, if available, SAT/ACT scores (while SAT/ACT scores are not required in the admissions process, the CIA wants to recognize students who took these exams and scored well). A CIA scholarship applies specifically to tuition charges. It is awarded to students identified through the admissions process; a separate scholarship application is not necessary. Students entering into a new program—i.e., starting their bachelor's degree program after graduating from the associate degree program, or starting a certificate program after graduating from the bachelor's program—will be reevaluated based on the criteria for that program. The amounts may vary for each program. These scholarships are renewable annually if the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students who are receiving awards specific to tuition charges—including veterans' education benefits and Yellow Ribbon benefits—that cover tuition charges in full are not eligible for this scholarship. Students who have tuition-specific awards that do not cover 100% of their tuition may have this scholarship prorated if adding the full amount to the other awards would total more than the tuition charges.
CIA International Merit Award
The CIA wants to acknowledge the international students who demonstrate academic excellence prior to attending the CIA. This scholarship applies specifically to tuition charges. It is awarded to students identified through the admissions process; a separate scholarship application is not necessary. These scholarships are renewable annually if the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students who are receiving awards specific to tuition charges that cover tuition charges in full are not eligible for this scholarship. Students who have tuition-specific awards that do not cover 100% of their tuition may have this scholarship prorated if adding the full amount to the other awards would total more than the tuition charges.
CIA Assistance Grant
A CIA need-based grant is awarded to degree program students with a completed FAFSA that shows demonstrated need as determined by the calculation described above. This award is renewable if the student completes the FAFSA by the priority deadline, has a calculated financial need, and is maintaining SAP requirements. Students receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits of 50% or higher are not eligible for this grant.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
CIA On-Campus Resident Grant (NY campus only)
This grant is awarded to degree program students with a completed FAFSA who will be residing in an on-campus residence hall and enrolled in the 2019-20 academic year or prior. This award is renewable if the student continues to live on campus, is maintaining SAP requirements, and submits both the housing application and FAFSA by the appropriate deadlines. Students serving as Residence Assistants, whose housing charges are covered in full, are not eligible for this scholarship.
The CIA Degree Program Award (NY campus only)
The CIA wants to recognize the many ways students achieve personal and professional accomplishments. Therefore, depending on the program and the time of year a student starts classes, the student may be eligible to receive this award. This award is renewable if the student is maintaining SAP requirements. This award may have been awarded to students who enrolled in the 2019-20 academic year.
The CIA Recognition Award (NY campus only)
The CIA wants to recognize the many ways students achieve personal and professional accomplishments. Therefore, depending on the student's program and the time of year he or she starts classes, a student may be eligible to receive this award. This award is renewable if the student is maintaining SAP requirements.
CIA Alumni Referral Scholarship
The college offers this scholarship to prospective students, including international students, who submit a letter from a CIA graduate encouraging them to apply to the CIA. This letter should be submitted with the application for admission. Only one award will be given per student for the first year at the CIA. This award is not renewable for subsequent years.
CIA Pass it On Award
International students who refer another international student are eligible for a one-time $1,000 scholarship. The student being referred must be international, have no applications with the CIA currently on file, is not currently working with another person or entity to apply for admission to the CIA, enrolls in an undergraduate degree program on the New York campus, and attends through the add/drop period of the first semester. Referring students must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at the New York campus in order to receive the $1,000 award toward their next term with an outstanding balance, or their current term if it is the last term for their degree.
National Student Organization (NSO) Scholarship—National and State Level Competitions
The CIA supports national and state competitions in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, or culinary management and the World SkillsUSA competition. These competitions are sponsored by:
- SkillsUSA
- Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
- ProStart
- NAACP's Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO)
- American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI)
At many of these competitions, the students who place first, second, or third will receive a certificate for a scholarship to attend the CIA. The amounts of these awards vary and are set each year by the college. Scholarships are renewable annually with a GPA of 3.0 or better, except for the NAACP is a 2.75 cumulative GPA or better.
Students must submit the certificate to the CIA prior to enrolling and may receive only one NSO competition scholarship. If a student has won multiple competitions, the CIA will honor the award with the highest monetary value. Winners must enroll by June of the year following their senior year of high school. All competition scholarships are for secondary level only, with the exception of the SkillsUSA first-place winner in the national postsecondary culinary arts or restaurant management competitions.
Anthony Bourdain '78 Legacy Scholarship (Bachelor's only)
Students who are enrolled in the bachelor's degree programs and are interested in taking the two-week Global Cuisines and Cultures (GCC) travel course as their free elective or choose to complete a concentration with an international semester-away component can apply for this grant via the $hef site at ciachef.academicworks.com. Amounts may vary and are based primarily on financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Funds may only be applied to the GCC course or concentration with international semester away that will count as credits toward a student's program of study. Students are only eligible for this grant one time, and the grant will be applied to the tuition charges specific to either the GCC course or the concentration with international semester away.
Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) Scholarship (AOS at the NY campus only)
From among the winners of its culinary competition winners, the C-CAP organization selects students to receive a full-tuition scholarship to the CIA in Hyde Park, NY. Students are encouraged to file a FAFSA and must maintain the stated GPA as listed on the award notice from C-CAP. These scholarships cover tuition only; they do not cover room, board, books, supplies, fees, and other expenses. Recipients will not be eligible for other CIA grants and scholarships.
St. Helena High School Scholarship (Associate only)
Each year, the St. Helena Unified School District selects one student who has been accepted to the CIA for a scholarship to be used in their first year at the CIA. This scholarship is renewable if the student has a 3.0 cumulative GPA and no disciplinary record with the Dean of Students Office.
FDR High School Scholarship (Associate at the NY campus only)
Each year, the CIA offers one graduating senior who attended Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) High School in Hyde Park, NY a scholarship toward their first year at the CIA. This scholarship is not renewable, and applications are available from the FDR High School Guidance Office.
Napa Valley College Scholarship (Associate only)
Each year, Napa Valley College selects a student who has been accepted to the CIA for a scholarship to be used in their first year at the CIA. This scholarship is renewable if the student has a 3.0 cumulative GPA and no disciplinary record with the Dean of Students Office.
Massachusetts Restaurant Association Scholarship (NY campus only)
Massachusetts residents pursuing a degree in foodservice or hospitality may apply for scholarships at www.themassrest.org after the first of each year. This is a one-time, non-renewable scholarship that the CIA will match up to $2,000.
Les Dames d'Escoffier Scholarship (NY campus only)
Through the $HEF scholarship site, students may apply for the Les Dames d'Escoffier Scholarships. Two students will be chosen to receive a scholarship. The student must file a FAFSA, which shows demonstrated financial need. The award will be repeated for one additional year provided the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
American Academy of Chefs Scholarship (NY campus only)
Each year, the American Academy of Chefs will select four high school students who have been accepted to The Culinary Institute of America to receive a scholarship. The student must file a FAFSA, which shows demonstrated financial need. The scholarship is renewable annually if the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and files a FAFSA that shows demonstrated financial need.
Associate Degree Programs
Texas Campus
El Sueño Scholarship
The CIA offers El Sueño Scholarships to aspiring culinarians. This unprecedented fund awards a significant portion of program cost for students who qualify. To qualify, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), have a completed CIA San Antonio application for admission on file, complete the El Sueño Scholarship application (available online or from the Admissions Office in New York or Texas), and submit an essay of 400–500 words describing how the El Sueño Scholarship will assist in making their dream of pursuing a culinary arts degree a reality. This award is renewable for the sophomore year if the student is meeting SAP requirements and continues to demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
CIA Need-based Grant
A CIA need-based grant is awarded to degree program students with a completed FAFSA that shows demonstrated need as determined by the calculation described above. This award is renewable if the student completes the FAFSA by the priority deadline, has a calculated financial need, and is maintaining SAP requirements. Students receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits of 50% or higher are not eligible for this grant.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
CIA Alumni Referral Scholarship
The college offers this scholarship to prospective students, including international students, who submit a letter from a CIA graduate encouraging them to apply to the CIA. This letter should be submitted with the application for admission. Only one award will be given per student for the first year. This award is not renewable for subsequent years.
National Student Organization (NSO) Scholarship—National and State Level Competitions
The CIA supports national and state competitions in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, or culinary management and the World SkillsUSA competition. These competitions are sponsored by:
- SkillsUSA
- Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
- ProStart
- NAACP's Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO)
- American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI)
At many of these competitions, the students who place first, second, or third will receive a certificate for a scholarship to attend the CIA. The amounts of these awards vary and are set each year by the college. Scholarships are renewable annually with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, except for the NAACP is a 2.75 cumulative GPA or better.
Students must submit the certificate to the CIA prior to enrolling and may receive only one NSO competition scholarship. If a student has won multiple competitions, the CIA will honor the award with the highest monetary value. Winners must enroll by June of the year following their senior year of high school. All competition scholarships are for secondary level only, with the exception of the SkillsUSA first-place winner in the national postsecondary culinary arts or restaurant management competitions.
Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate Program (ACAP)
California Campus
CIA Scholarship
The CIA seeks students who have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership qualities. CIA merit-based scholarships are awarded to students identified through the admissions process; a separate scholarship application is not necessary. Students who are receiving awards that are specific to tuition charges, including veterans education benefits and Yellow Ribbon benefits, that cover the tuition charges in full are not eligible for this scholarship. Students who have tuition-specific awards that do not cover 100% of their tuition may have this scholarship prorated if adding it to the other awards would total more than the tuition charges.
CIA Alumni Referral Scholarship
Students, including international students, who submit a letter from a CIA graduate encouraging them to apply to the CIA's Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate Program, are eligible to be considered for this scholarship. Students who graduated from a CIA bachelor's degree program are eligible with confirmation of degree completion from the CIA Registrar's Office and a referral letter from a former CIA instructor. This letter should be submitted with the application for admission. Only one award will be given per student for two semesters of the certificate program at the CIA. This award is not renewable for subsequent years.
Vi Endowed Scholarship
The Vi Endowed Scholarship is available to graduates of accredited undergraduate nutrition, dietetics, food science, or hospitality programs where a 3.0 was achieved. Students will need to apply via $hef to be considered for this scholarship based on academic records and extracurricular activities and must provide a personal essay. Final selection will be made in consultation with Vi.
Master's Degree Programs
New York Campus – Online
CIA Graduate Merit Scholarship
Domestic students who enroll in the CIA Master's Program are eligible to receive this grant. This grant is renewable each year with a 3.0 GPA. The grant is not applicable to semesters less than 6 credits.
CIA Graduate International Merit Scholarship
International students who enroll in the CIA Master's Program are eligible to receive this grant. This grant is renewable each year with a 3.0 GPA. The grant is not applicable to semesters less than 6 credits.