BETHESDA, MD – Marriott International has renewed its $500,000 multicultural CSR initiative, the Marriott Scholars Program with the Hispanic College Fund (HCF) and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). Applications being from today through Feb. 16, 2010 for the Marriott Scholars Program for the 2010-2011 school year. Eligible students can apply for renewable scholarships of up to $9,000 annually in tuition support for up to four years.
“We’re excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for the Marriott Scholars,” said J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr., chairman and CEO of Marriott International, Inc. “My parents were committed to building and investing in the lives of our young people and future leaders. The Marriott Scholars program supports their vision and encourages students to explore the many career options within our industry.”
In 2007 in partnership with HCF and UNCF, the Marriott Foundation launched the Marriott Scholars program, which awards grants totaling up to $500,000 annually to students pursuing degrees in the areas of hospitality management, hotel management, culinary and food and beverage.
“The Marriott Foundation’s investment in these young men and women will both help them prepare for careers in the fast-growing hospitality industry and produce the college-educated professionals that the industry needs to grow and to contribute to the communities it serves,” said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., president and CEO of UNCF. “UNCF salutes the Marriott Foundation for their generosity and their forward-looking commitment to education and prosperity.”
“We are thrilled to have Marriott as a partner in our scholarship program for the fifth year in a row,” said Idalia Fernandez, president of the Hispanic College Fund. “Their continued support of our programs truly demonstrates Marriott’s ‘spirit to serve.’ Thanks to these scholarships, this year, dozens of young Latinos will grow one step closer to the hospitality career of their dreams!”
Applicants interested in applying for the Marriott Scholars program must meet the following eligibility requirements. Candidates must be:
— a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States
— enrolled full-time in an accredited four-year college or university with a hospitality management program as an incoming college freshman,
first year freshman or community college transfer;
— pursuing or planning to pursue a degree within the hospitality management, hotel management, culinary or food and beverage field; and
— possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
As a part of the program, Marriott International managers and executives from the hotels and corporate offices will provide career guidance, mentoring, development and internship opportunities to scholarship recipients.