Applications for the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association’s (USVIHTA) Lorette Resch Scholarship will open April 3 with a submission deadline of May 5.
To be eligible to participate in the Lorette Resch Scholarship/Loan Program, the applicant must be a high school graduate who will meet the requirements for admission into the hospitality/restaurant management program or business administration program at the University of the Virgin Islands or other HTA approved hospitality schools. The applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States and a resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands for at least five years.
Also, the applicant must submit a letter from the high school he or she attended, at least three letters of recommendation or references, a student profile form, high school transcripts, a copy of the applicant’s completed Financial Aid Form, and a 500-word or one-page essay. The association will also conduct a personal interview with the applicant.
For more detailed information about the items that must accompany the application, pick up the application form or download it from the usvihta.com Web site.
The USVIHTA Education and Training Fund was established over two decades ago to aid youth in the community who are seeking higher education with a concentration in hospitality. Funds for the program are raised by the USVI Culinary Team during the USVIHTA Holiday Party and through donations by USVIHTA members.
In 2014, the scholarship was posthumously named in honor of Lorette Resch, honorary member on the USVIHTA board of directors and generous scholarship contributor. Students are awarded scholarships based on their dedication to hospitality as well as their academic and extracurricular achievements.
Visit the USVIHTA office at 4002 Raphune Hill, Suite 304 on St. Thomas to pick up an application or the USVIHTA site at www.usvihta.com to download the application. Contact Nicole Friday at nicole@usvihta.com or 774-6835 with any questions.
HTA also encourages interested parties to apply for the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Education Foundation (CHTAEF) Scholarship through March 30. Scholarships are open to Caribbean students and industry professionals pursuing higher education or professional development in the hospitality and tourism field. They are awarded by CHTAEF sponsors and supporters.
Past recipients have attended accredited colleges and universities throughout the United States, the Caribbean and around the world, with a concentration on tourism and hospitality-related studies. The foundation also has partner arrangements with many schools, including Johnson & Wales University, Monroe College and Florida International University, where students may be eligible to receive additional scholarship support, based upon their award through the foundation. Scholarships are also available for industry professionals, including those pursuing internationally recognized certifications.
CHTAEF provides academic, professional development, tourism and hospitality teachers, work experience placements and internship awards to Caribbean nationals who demonstrate a strong commitment to the industry. Scholarships range from $500 to $5,000 and are exclusively used for tuition costs.
Applications are available at the USVIHTA office or via www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com/about-the-foundation/apply-for-scholarship. They must be submitted with the approval of the applicant’s local hotel association in order to be considered.
For more information, contact the USVIHTA office at 774-6835, visit www.chtaeducationfoundation.com, or e-mail foundation@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.
