DECA’s scholarship program provides over $200,000 in scholarships to high school and college DECA members at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) each year. Many corporate partners of DECA provide scholarships through the DECA scholarship program. DECA Inc. administers the program based on guidelines set by the donor. DECA scholarships are strictly merit-based.
The 2022-2023 application will open in September 2022.
Marriott International provides five (5) $2,000 scholarships to DECA members who have an interest in the hospitality/tourism industry.
NTHS (National Technical Honor Society) provides two (2) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who are also members of NTHS.
Otis Spunkmeyer provides three (3) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who work in their school stores and sell Otis Spunkmeyer products.
Publix provides five (5) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA/Collegiate DECA members who are associates of Publix.
Whataburger provides five (5) $1,000 scholarships to DECA members who have an interest in the restaurant/food service industry.
The Harry Applegate Scholarship Program is a scholarship fund that corporate supporters contribute to, but the scholarship is actually in the company’s name. Scholarships are awarded based on DECA/Collegiate DECA involvement, leadership ability, community service and academic performance.
Many college, university and organization partners offer scholarships to DECA members. These scholarships are available directly through the college, university or organization.
Yes, you must be a current Collegiate DECA member to be eligible for DECA scholarships.
Ask your school counselor if you school has a Collegiate DECA chapter and register through your chapter advisor. For Collegiate DECA members that do not have a chapter, you may apply as an individual member.
The deadline to submit your application is January 13, 2023.
Email scholarships@deca.org or call DECA at 703 860-5000 and ask to speak with the Partnerships Department.
Yes, you may apply for more than one scholarship as long as you meet the criteria for each scholarship.
Yes, data from your Student Profile carries over to automatically fill in certain fields (i.e. name, address, school, DECA involvement, etc.).
No, your profile is strictly confidential unless you provide the advisor with your user name and password.
You should include as much as possible in the long answer section. For your DECA activities, include ALL details from your time with DECA.
No, all grade levels are welcome to apply. Unless the scholarship application specifically requires a grade level/collegiate, you can safely assume that all members can apply.
No, most of DECA scholarships are merit-based.
You are not required to be a relative/employee to apply for most of our corporate scholarships. Some of our donors such as Whataburger and Hilton give special attention to applicants who work for them. Publix Super Markets does require you to be an associate with their company.
Some scholarships such as AICPA, Hilton, RevRoad, Whataburger do provide scholarships that are focused on a specific industry and/or career interest (i.e., finance, hospitality, entrepreneurship, restaurant, etc.)
No, once you submit your application you cannot make any further changes.
DECA will notify you via email that you have made the qualifying round and provide you the list of additional materials required to upload.
You will be asked to upload a statement of interest, three letters of recommendations, transcripts and any additional documents you feel would be important to the scholarship review committee (i.e., resume, awards, etc.)
You must include a statement indicating so.
Yes, you may submit unofficial transcripts.
DECA will contact you via email to request this information.
No, you must be enrolled as a full-time student at a college/university.
Monies are sent directly to the college/university that you will be attending by completing a form that will be emailed to you in May.
Yes, your scholarship can be deferred for up to three years.
Yes, you will be able to meet the sponsor if you attend ICDC. DECA will also email you contact information to send a thank you letter.
No, you do not need to attend ICDC in order to receive your scholarship.
DECA will notify your chapter advisor and send you an email that you provided in your scholarship profile.
DECA will notify you of the deadline once it is determined that you have made the qualifying round.
A statement of interest is an opportunity to share some valuable information about who you are, and why do you feel that you should receive a DECA scholarship. This part of your application gives the review committee to see more than your GPA, by including your future goals and interest. It basically gives you an opportunity to stand out from other applicants. There is no word limit to your statement of interest.
A community leader is an individual that represents the community. Some examples of a community leader:
For additional questions, please email scholarships@deca.org or call 703-860-5000 and ask for the Partnerships Department.
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