Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
2008-2009 Scholarship Application
Application Deadline: May 15, 2008
Applications postmarked after this date will not be considered.
The Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) Educational Foundation will award recipients scholarships to accredited college or university foodservice and/or hospitality education programs. For more information on the IRA Educational Foundation, please visit:
Applicant Qualifications
To qualify for a scholarship, you must:
- Be a permanent resident of the State of Illinois
- Plan to enroll or be currently enrolled full-time or substantial part-time in an accredited culinary school, college or university
- Major in a restaurant or foodservice related program
Required Documentation
To be considered for a scholarship, your application packet must include the following:
- Signed hard copy of application (typed and fully complete)
- Official transcripts for the most recent three (3) terms
- Three typed essays (see Section 9 of application)
- Two signed recommendation forms
- Photocopied documentation of honors and achievements
We recommend that applicants make a full copy of the completed application and all supporting documents before submitting the application package to the IRA Educational Foundation. The Foundation cannot be responsible for incomplete application packages.
Reasons for Disqualification, In-Eligibility, and Restrictions
- Applicants will not be considered if
- Not a permanent resident of the State of Illinois
- Application is handwritten;
- Incomplete (missing any of the required documents above)
- Late (postmarked after the deadline)
- Submitted by fax or email
- Please do no send any paperwork that has not been requested (i.e. pay stubs, resume).
DO NOT staple your application or enclose in a report cover or binder.
How Scholarship Applications are Judged and Selected
A judging panel, appointed by the Blue Ribbon Scholarship Committee of the IRA Educational Foundation, will evaluate applications given the following criteria.
The judges will score your application on the following criteria:
- Presentation of application (spelling, grammar, etc.)
- Industry-related work experience (both paid and volunteer)
- Honors and achievements (photocopies)
- Recommendation Forms
- Essay questions (persuasive, well-written, and with required word count)
- Official transcripts of three terms
How You Will Be Notified
Applicants will be mailed notification of award status by June 30, 2008 via US Mail.
Mail your application and all required documentation
on or before the deadline May 15, 2008 to:
Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
Attn: Blue Ribbon Scholarship Committee
33 W. Monroe St., Suite 250
Chicago, IL 60603
Please direct any questions about the application process to
Illinois Restraunt Association Educational Foundation at (312) 787-4000 ext. 117
Best of Luck!
Section 1 Personal Information
First NameMiddle InitialLast Name Nickname
Permanent Address
CityCounty (e.g., Cook)State Zip
Phone NumberEmail Address Alternate Email Address
Cell Phone NumberParent/Back-up Phone Number
Social Security NumberDate of Birth
Illinois ResidentYes, I am a permanent resident of Illinois, and would be able to provide documentation upon request (only permanent residents are eligible to apply)
Optional Information
Sex:FemaleMale
Ethnicity:American Indian or Alaskan NativeBlack/AfricanHispanic
Asian American or Pacific IslanderWhite/CaucasianOther
Section 2 Application Information
2A. General Application Information
Yes, I graduated / will graduate from a ProStart high school Year
School and/or Tech Center
Yes, I earned / will earn a ProStart certificate Year Certificate Number
No, I did not graduate from a ProStart high school and did not earn a ProStart certificate, but I am eligible to apply for an IRA Educational Foundation Scholarship because I am pursuing a post-secondary degree in foodservice/hospitality management.
2B. Have you received a scholarship from the IRA Educational Foundation before?
NoYes Year Scholarship Awarded
Section 3 School Information
3A. Current School Information
I am currently a High School studentI am currently a College student
I am not currently a student, but I intend to enroll for 2008-2009
CurrentSchool (attending during 2007-2008)
CurrentSchool’s Address City State Zip
My school offers a foodservice and/or hospitality program
Section 3 School Information, Continued
3B. School at which Scholarship will be utilized – General Information
I am accepted / will continue enrollment in Fall 2008I applied, but have not yet been accepted
Future College/University (attending 2008-2009)
College Address City State Zip
Annual Tuition
3C. School at which Scholarship will be utilized – Academic Information
My goal:Associate’s DegreeBachelor’s DegreeOther
Expected Graduation (month/year)Credit Hours Full-time Part-time
MajorMinor
Section 4 Transcripts
I am providing:Three terms of high school transcriptsThree terms of college transcripts
Transcripts from more than 1 high school/college Other
4A. High School InformationN/A; I’m only submitting college transcript(s)
School Name Phone Number ()
CityStateZip Dates Attended
4B. College InformationN/A; I’m only submitting high school transcript(s)
School Name Phone Number ()
CityStateZip Dates Attended
4C. Additional School InformationN/A; I’m only submitting one or two transcript(s)
School Name Phone Number ()
CityStateZip Dates Attended
Section 5 Activities, Honors & Achievements
Please use this section to indicate activities, honors and special achievements, and feel free to use additional paper as necessary. A resume may NOT be submitted instead of providing the information below. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTION MUST BE PROVIDED (E.G. COPY OF CERTIFICATE OR LETTER), WHEN APPLICABLE.
5A. Extracurricular Activities (e.g., clubs, sports)If Documentation Provided, Check Here
1.
2.
5B. Volunteer Activities (at school, work, or other)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Section 5 Activities, Honors & Achievements, Continued
5C. Awards / Special Recognition Received (e.g., Honor Society, Dean’s List, Employee of the Month)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5D. Leadership / Officer Positions (e.g., captain of culinary team, class or club president)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5E. I have earned my:Sanitation CertificationAlcohol Awareness / B.A.S.S.E.T. Certification
CPR / First Aid CertificationOther Certification
Section 6 Foodservice & Hospitality Work Experience
Please list your foodservice and hospitality work experience (most recent first), Include foodservice and hospitality volunteer experience if you have not had more than two paid work experiences. A resume may NOT be submitted instead of providing the information below.
1. Company City State Zip
Starting Position Ending Position
Start Date (month/year) End Date PaidVolunteer Hours per week
Contact Person Contact’s Title Contact’s Phone Number
2.Company City State Zip
Starting Position Ending Position
Start Date (month/year) End Date Paid Volunteer Hours per week
Contact Person Contact’s Title Contact’s Phone Number
3.Company City State Zip
Starting Position Ending Position
Start Date (month/year) End Date Paid Volunteer Hours per week
Contact Person Contact’s Title Contact’s Phone Number
4.Company City State Zip
Starting Position Ending Position
Start Date (month/year) End Date Paid Volunteer Hours per week
Contact Person Contact’s Title Contact’s Phone Number
Section 7 Recommendations
Applicants are required to provide two recommendations on the forms provided – one from an instructor of a foodservice/hospitality management class and one from a supervisor or mentor from a foodservice/hospitality work experience. Letters may NOT be submitted in place of recommendation forms.
Section 8 Essays
Each essay must be on a separate piece of paper, and each must have your name, the essay number, and the essay question typed at the top of the page. Essays must be typed and double-spaced.
Essay #1(150 word minimum)
What experience in the classroom or in the workplace(whether paid or volunteer) has inspired you to pursue a careerin the foodservice / hospitality industry?
Essay #2(150 word minimum)
What challenges do you expect to face in achieving your career goals and how might you overcome these challenges?
Essay #3(50 word minimum)
In a single paragraph, describe how this scholarship will affect your ability to further pursue your educational goals in the foodservice / hospitality industry.
Section 9 Conclusion & Required Signature
9A. Please read the following prior to signing below:
To the best of my knowledge, I have provided the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) Educational Foundation with accurate information concerning all questions on this application. I hereby agree to report to the IRA Educational Foundation any changes which could affect consideration of my application. I understand that all decisions of the Blue Ribbon Scholarship Committee and the Trustees of the IRA Educational Foundation are final.
I understand that if I am awarded a scholarship, certain requirements (including, but not limited to the following) must be met before any award monies can be disbursed. (1) I must formally accept the award and provide the IRA Educational Foundation with all materials requested. (2) I must provide proof of enrollment (full or part-time with a 6 credit hour minimum) in an accredited foodservice/hospitality program for the 2008-2009 academic year. I understand that awards will be payable and mailed directly to my college/university before the beginning of the Fall 2008 term (pending the above requirements), that all awards are disbursed pending verification of student eligibility, and that some sponsor-directed expenses may apply.
I understand that failure to provide updated valid and complete information, including current telephone, email, and other contact information, may result in the withdrawal of all financial assistance and recall of all awards previously made by the IRA Educational Foundation.
Furthermore, if I become a scholarship recipient, I agree to have my picture (whether included herein or taken at a future date) and information released to promote the IRA Educational Foundation and its scholarship program.
Signature of ApplicantDate
If applicant is under age 18, please also provide the following:
Name of Parent/Guardian Relationship to Applicant
Signature of Parent/GuardianDate
Telephone Numbers of Parent/Guardian:Day Evening
IRA Educational Foundation Scholarship Program
Recommendation Form 1 – Instructor
Scholarship Application Deadline - May 15, 2008
Note to the Applicant
As you know, two recommendation forms are required with your scholarship application, one from an instructor of a foodservice/hospitality class and one from a supervisor or mentor from a foodservice/hospitality work experience. Please fill out the top section of this page before giving the form to your instructor.
Applicant’s NameRecommender’s Name
Note to the Recommender
The applicant has selected you, as an academic reference, to provide a candid recommendation to the IRA Educational Foundation as a part of the Scholarship application process. Once this form is completed, please return it to the student in a signed envelope with your signature across the seal. The student will submit your sealed recommendation to us along with his/her other application materials. Thank you for your input.
What class(es) did this student take with you?
How long have you known this student?
Please rate the applicant:AboveAverageBelow Unknown
AverageAverage
Interpersonal communication skills
Ability to work with others
Demonstrates initiative
Performance under stress
Self-confidence
Responsibility and reliability
Ability to accept constructive feedback and learn from it
Attendance and timeliness
Demonstrated interest in the foodservice / hospitality industry
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about the student?
Signature of RecommenderDate
Name of RecommenderPhone Number
OrganizationTitle
Street AddressCity, State,Zip
IRA Educational Foundation Scholarship Program
Recommendation Form 2–Industry
Scholarship Application Deadline - May 15, 2008
Note to the Applicant
As you know, two recommendation forms are required with your scholarship application, one from an instructor of a foodservice/hospitality class and one from a supervisor or mentor from a foodservice/hospitality work experience. Please fill out the top section of this page before giving the form to your industry recommender.
Applicant’s NameRecommender’s Name
Note to the Recommender
The applicant has selected you, as an industry supervisor or mentor, to provide a candid recommendation to the IRA Educational Foundation as a part of the Scholarship application process. Once this form is completed, please return it to the student in a signed envelope with your signature across the seal. The student will submit your sealed recommendation to us along with his/her other application materials. Thank you for your input.
How do you know this person?For how long?
Please rate the applicant:AboveAverageBelow Unknown
AverageAverage
Interpersonal communication skills
Ability to work with others
Demonstrates initiative
Performance under stress
Self-confidence
Responsibility and reliability
Ability to accept constructive feedback and learn from it
Attendance and timeliness
Demonstrated interest in the foodservice / hospitality industry
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about the student?
Signature of RecommenderDate
Name of RecommenderPhone Number
OrganizationTitle
Street AddressCity, State , Zip