Hospitality & Tourism Management Scholarships

HTMT Award Opportunities

• Incoming First-Year Students

  Charleston Wine + Food Festival Excellence Scholarship: $2,000/yr (*up to 4 years)

  The purpose of the Charleston Wine + Food Festival is to highlight and celebrate Charleston’s extraordinary culinary history and culture. The Festival also recognizes and supports culinary establishments that sustain local industry. The Festival is a world-class, four-day event that promotes and supports a variety of culinary interests and charities. This scholarship was created by the Charleston Wine + Food Festival, which has been a longstanding partner with the College's Hospitality and Tourism Management program.

  Since 2008, the Charleston Wine + Food Festival has annually funded upperclassmen and incoming freshman scholarships; and provided students with countless experiential learning opportunities and internships. The Charleston Wine + Food Festival makes this commitment to assist the HTMT program in recruiting best-in-class students to the College of Charleston in pursuit of event management careers. The scholarship is awarded based on event management career interests, financial needs, and other criteria.

  Eligibility

  • Incoming Freshman
  • Intended Hospitality and Tourism major, minor, or concentration (must declare by the end of the first semester enrolled at CofC).
  • Student must demonstrate hospitality experience through career statement and resume. 
  • Minimum SAT score of 1100 (combined highest math and verbal scores) or minimum ACT score of 24. 
  • *Renewable up to three years, if terms are met. Recipients are encouraged to pursue internships with the festival for at least one semester. 
• Upperclass Students

  The Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management offers more than a dozen scholarships and awards for students in their sophomore through senior years.

  Current hospitality students can find more information on eligibility and how to apply on The HTMT Hub.

  Cahill International Travel Award (HTMT Internship): Up to $4,000 annually (*Amount Varies)

  The Cahill HTMT International Internship Award was created by Michael and Tania Cahill of La Canada-Flintridge, CA. Their daughter, Isabel, graduated from the College of Charleston in 2014 with Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTMT). The Cahill Award annually funds international internships for an HTMT student.

  Eligibility

  • Must be a declared Hospitality and Tourism management major, minor or concentration, with at least 30 earned credit hours at time of international internship.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  • Demonstrated maturity of travel plans and commitment to complete an international internship during the specified award year.
  • Preference may be given to applicants who arrange for homestay housing while interning abroad.

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  Charleston Wine+Food Festival Upperclassman Scholarship: Up to $2,000 annually

  The purpose of the Charleston Wine+Food Festival is to highlight and celebrate Charleston’s extraordinary culinary history and culture. The Festival also recognizes and supports culinary establishments that sustain local industry. The Festival is a world-class, four-day event that promotes and supports a variety of culinary interests and charities.

  Since 2008, the Charleston Wine + Food Festival has provided students with countless experiential learning opportunities and internships.

  Eligibility

  • Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors, who are declared Hospitality and Tourism management major, minor or concentration students
  • Must demonstrate event/industry-relevant involvement or intent.
  • Must provide an industry-relevant cover letter with online application.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  • Preferences: Strongly preferred that candidate demonstrates intend to work with department faculty and Festival staff to seek an internship or similar professional exposure. Candidates who indicate that they have completed an internship with the Festival while attending the College will also receive preferential consideration.

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  Hotel Indigo Mount Pleasant Scholarship

  John R. “Jack” Nelson is the retired executive vice president and chief technology officer for Altria Group. Currently, in addition to being an owner of the Hotel Indigo in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Jack is actively involved with a number of non-profit organizations including the Virginia Historical Society, the Richmond SPCA, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Jack and his wife Katherine reside in Richmond, Virginia. This scholarship award cannot be renewed.

  Eligibility

  • A full-time student in good academic standing at the College of Charleston classified as a junior or senior.
  • Declared Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism major.
  • Preferences: Students who have demonstrated interest in careers in hotel management and financial need, while not the primary determining factor, may be considered when choosing among equally qualified candidates.

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  Kiawah Island Golf Resort Scholarship: Up to $1,500 annually

  Kiawah Island Golf Resort is the home of the famous Ocean Course, where the 2007 Senior PGA Championship, the 2012 PGA Championship, and the 2021 PGA Championship were all held. Tennis Magazine rated the Resort the #2 U.S. tennis resort. It is also home to the renowned Sanctuary Hotel.

  The scholarship is awarded based upon hospitality career interests, financial need, and other criteria. Awarded based on annual funding availability.

  Eligibility

  • Only rising sophomores, juniors or seniors, who are declared Hospitality and Tourism management major, minor or concentration are eligible.
  • Candidates should demonstrate resort/industry-relevant involvement or intent.
  • Applicant must provide an industry-relevant cover letter with online application.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
  • Preference given to candidates who demonstrate financial need but it is not a requirement.

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  Charleston Restaurant Association Scholarship: Up to $1,500 annually

  The Lowcountry Hospitality Association (LHA) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit trade organization serving the Charleston Area hospitality industry. It serves as the voice of the local hotel and restaurant industry on government and public relations issues. LHA hosts the Lowcountry Oyster Festival annually. Awarded based on annual funding availability.

  Eligibility

  • Preference is given to declared Hospitality and Tourism management major, minor or concentration students presently working in the food and beverage industry, and who plan to remain in the field after graduation. The scholarship is awarded based on foodservice career interests, financial need, and other criteria.

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  Melissa Corbin Williams Memorial Scholarship: Up to $2,500

  Melissa Corbin Williams, a 1996 Business Administration graduate from the College of Charleston, founded the wedding planning firm A Charleston Bride in 2001. As one of the first full-service planners in the area, she built a legacy of strong relationships and innovative designs. Her impact extended to clients, vendors, and team members, leaving a lasting imprint on everyone she met. In her honor, A Charleston Bride continues hosting interns and established this scholarship with her friends and family to celebrate her legacy.

  This scholarship is merit-based, considering academic excellence and financial need.

  This gift establishes an endowed fund to provide scholarships for School of Business students interested in entrepreneurship, hospitality, and/or event management.

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  Palmetto Hospitality Scholarship: Up to $1,500 annually

  Chris and Paige Nassetta have been generous supporters of higher education throughout their lives. Recognizing the need to alleviate the costs associated with attending college and as a way to help provide access to those who may have a disability, they established the Palmetto Hospitality Endowed Scholarship in 2019. Their daughter Kirby, one of six daughters, is a student at the College of Charleston with a concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Chris Nassetta is President and Chief Executive Officer for Hilton. He joined the company in 2007.

  Eligibility

  • Rising junior or senior who is a declared Hospitality and Tourism management major, minor or concentration student, based upon resort industry career interests, financial need, disability, and/or other criteria.
  • Preferences given to students participating in the College of Charleston Students Needing Access Parity (SNAP) program. Students are eligible to receive the scholarship for their senior year as long as they are in an acceptable academic standing.

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  Patrick E. Ringwald Scholarship: Up to $1,500 annually

  The Patrick E. Ringwald Scholarship is given annually to a declared Hospitality and Tourism management major, minor or concentration student. The scholarship is in memory of the former general manager of the Boathouse Restaurant, Patrick Ringwald, who was shot and killed during a robbery after working for 20 years in Charleston’s food and beverage industry.

  Academic excellence, although important, is not the chief criteria for this scholarship. Instead, the scholarship is awarded to the student that best represents Patrick Ringwald’s spirit and attitude.

  Eligibility

  • Rising junior or senior who is a declared Hospitality and Tourism management major, minor or concentration student.
  • Must demonstrate restaurant-industry-relevant involvement or intent.
  • Applicant must provide an industry-relevant cover letter with online application.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  • Preference given to candidates who demonstrate financial need, but it is not a requirement.

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  Queen Street Hospitality Group Scholarship: Up to $1,500 annually

  In 1982, three restaurants had a vision to provide a uniquely “Charleston” dining experience with a focus on fresh, local cuisine and gracious hospitality. Today, Steve Kish is the proud owner of 82 Queen, Florence's Lowcountry Kitchen and Jalisco Taqueria & Tequila. Chef Kish is highly regarded in the Charleston community. He is a founding member of the Chef Association, a former Charleston Restaurant Association Board member, and a former Taste of Charleston and Oyster Festival Chairman.

  After 40 years, Chef Kish decided to retire from 82 Queen and his two sons, Jonathan (CEO) and Patrick (COO) currently lead the Queen Street Hospitality team. To recognize and celebrate the significant milestone of the 40^th anniversary of 82 Queen and their father’s retirement, the Queen Street Hospitality team established an endowed scholarship that honors the wonderful legacy of Chef Kish, both personally and professionally.

  The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial support for declared Hospitality and Tourism management major, minor or concentration students in the School of Business. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need and students who are working in the local Charleston area restaurant industry while attending college.

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  Richard Anthony Kalata Memorial Travel Award: Up to $2,000 annually (*Amount Varies)

  Richard Anthony Kalata Memorial Travel Scholarship supports selected students who participate in for-credit study abroad programs and experiences. Must be a declared Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTMT) major with at least 30 earned credit hours at time of participation in travel program/experience, and a South Carolina resident with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Submission of a personal statement outlining motivations for pursuit of travel program/experience and how it will enhance hospitality studies and/or provide preparation for career ambitions is required. Preference is given to applicants studying abroad with CofC sponsored and HTMT faculty-led programs.

  • Learn more about our study abroad programs

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  Wild Dunes Resort Hospitality Management Scholarship: Up to $1,500 annually

  Wild Dunes Resort specializes in memorable vacations and offers many accommodation styles, abundant activities for all ages, great dining, and award-winning golf and tennis.  They also are active in meeting planning, weddings, and catering.

  The scholarship is awarded to a rising sophomore, junior or senior HTMT declared Hospitality and Tourism management major, minor or concentration student, based upon resort industry career interests, financial need, and other criteria. Must demonstrated interest in working in the resort industry as evidenced by their employment/internship experiences and plans after graduation. Applicant must provide an industry-relevant cover letter with online application. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required. Preference given to candidates who demonstrate financial need but is not required. Awarded based on annual funding availability.

• Additional Opportunities

  Service Leadership Scholar Program

  Modeled after some of the School of Business's most outstanding specialty programs, the Service Leadership Scholars identifies and supports a select group of hospitality & tourism management majors, minors or concentrations in the fall or spring semester of their junior year. Service Leadership Scholars receive personal assessment, professional development, mentoring and exclusive access to a variety of leaders in the hospitality industry in both Charleston and around the world.

  • Learn more about the SLS Program

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  TTC 2+2 Supplemental Scholarships

  The longstanding relationship between Trident Technical College and the College of Charleston HTMT Department has yielded a small fund over the years to support incoming TTC transfer students seeking to complete their 4-year degree via the Professional Studies program. Scholarships are based on financial need and distributed based on total number of applicants. Interested applicants should contact the Department Chair or Administrator for more information.

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  Hospitality Innovators Award (Post-graduation)

  The purpose of the Innovators Fellowship Award is to fund a graduate during the summer after graduation to help bring an entrepreneurial business idea to fruition. The Fellowship provides $10,000 and the recipient is also given mentorship and support to assist in turning a business concept into a start-up. The Fellowship requires those participating in it to give 100% focus to the business concept over the duration of the program. Students apply in the spring of their Senior year. See Department Chair for more information.