The James Beard Foundation Offers Culinary Students The Opportunity To Apply For James Beard Foundation Scholarships

THE JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION

For Immediate Release:


The James Beard Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2008 scholarship program. Established in 1991, the James Beard Foundation Scholarship Program assists aspiring culinary professionals who plan to further their education at a licensed or accredited culinary school. This year, over $350,000 in scholarships is available in the following categories: the James Beard Foundation General Scholarships, the Friends of James Beard Scholarships and the James Beard Foundation School Scholarships.

"Upholding James Beard's legacy of culinary education and support through our scholarship program is an essential component of the James Beard Foundation's mission," says Diane Harris Brown, Director of Educational and Community Programming for the James Beard Foundation. "We are proud to say that since 2001, over 650 students have received scholarships through our program, totaling over 1.7 million dollars."

The 2008 scholarship program offerings are diverse and include the Peter Kump Memorial Scholarship commemorating the inspiring culinary legacy of the founding president of the James Beard Foundation, the La Toque Scholarship in Wine Studies and a tuition waiver for the Turkish/Eastern Mediterranean cuisine program at the Istanbul Culinary Institute in Turkey. Also being offered this year is the Richard Koschwitz Travel, Work, and Study Grant for Culinary Professionals-a new travel fellowship to help working professionals sharpen their understanding of a cuisine in its country of origin.

The James Beard Foundation Scholarship Program is administered by the Scholarship Management Services division of Scholarship America, a nonprofit organization that has helped award scholarships to over one million students. Applications for scholarships are received and evaluated by Scholarship America. Each student is rated according to a standardized system based on such factors as grade point average, extracurricular activities including work experience, letters of recommendation, and financial need.

From the approximately 700 applications received, about 125 students with a strong commitment to the culinary arts are identified as finalists. The applications of the finalists are then submitted to the James Beard Foundation's Scholarship Selection Committee for final review.

Scholarship winners will be notified in August 2008. Application forms can be found online at www.jamesbeard.org. All application materials, including transcript, must be postmarked by May 15, 2008.


Overview of Scholarship Program Guidelines

James Beard Foundation General Scholarships and Friends of James Beard Scholarships
Applicants must be high school seniors or graduates who plan to enroll or who are already enrolled at least part-time in a course of study leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree at a licensed or accredited culinary school. Preference may be given to students who demonstrate financial need.

All applicants meeting the above criteria will automatically be considered for the James Beard Foundation General Scholarships and the 10 Friends of James Beard Scholarships with no other specific eligibility requirements. Additionally, students may apply for up to three Friends of James Beard Scholarships with specified requirements by checking the corresponding box(es) on the application.

For a complete list of James Beard Foundation General Scholarships and Friends of James Beard Scholarships please visit http://www.sms.scholarshipamerica.org/jamesbeard/general.html.

James Beard Foundation School Scholarships
School scholarships are awarded as waivers that will be applied as a credit to the student's account. All applicants must meet the admis