Key Takeaways:
- Scholarships for food science majors range from $500 to $25,000, supporting various levels of higher education.
- Foundations, food manufacturers, and universities offer scholarships based on merit, academic interest, or specific food science fields.
- Eligibility often requires maintaining a minimum GPA, enrolling in specific programs, and demonstrating a commitment to a career in food science or related areas.
If you hope to study food science, you are no doubt interested in learning more about scholarships for food science majors studying in food science and technology programs. Food science is a growing field whose practitioners study the makeup of food in order to develop and improve foods for consumers.
Food technologists use their knowledge of food science to help manufacture food for the food industry in the U.S. That industry is a large one, and the job outlook in this field is strong. Below are some scholarships for food majors that you can look into; some are offered by foundations, and others by food manufacturers and specific universities.
Featured Programs
Top Food Science Scholarships Available
Feeding Tomorrow Scholarship Program
Feeding Tomorrow is the name of the Foundation of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). Under the tagline of “feeding the minds that feed the world,” the foundation provides almost 100 scholarships annually to food science majors, whether undergraduate students or graduate students.
These include scholarships for incoming freshmen (given to high school students) undergraduate students, and those pursuing their MS and PhDs in food science.
GOYA Foods Culinary Arts Scholarship Program
GOYA is a company known for its food products, particularly beans and rice. Through the Goya Foods Culinary Arts Scholarship Program, the company offers four scholarships in the amount of $5,000 every year to students who are studying in either the food sciences or culinary arts.
These financial aid awards are granted to students enrolling as freshmen in colleges, and if the students stay eligible, they can receive that amount annually throughout all four years of their undergraduate work for a total award of $20,000.
Purdue University
Known for its food science program, Purdue offers several different scholarships, mostly to entering college freshmen who are pursuing a food science major there. Most of these are based on academic merit and have specific requirements regarding GPA.
Two of their scholarship awards are the Arthur and Catherine Denton program and the Fred J. Babel Memorial Scholarship.
You can find out more about these and other Purdue undergraduate student scholarships on the university’s website.
Dairy Management Inc. Scholarship
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Dairy Management awards up to 11 scholarships to deserving undergraduate food science majors each year from the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. These scholarships are worth $2,500 each and are awarded to students in their sophomore, junior, or senior years who are studying a dairy-related field, including food science.
One of the criteria for the award is that the student expresses a commitment to a dairy-related career. Of the eleven scholarship recipients, one will be selected to receive an additional award—the James H. Loper Jr. Memorial Scholarship worth $3,500.
Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) Scholarship Awards
The Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) annually awards three different scholarships to rising undergraduate seniors enrolled in a food science major:
- George M. Burditt Scholarship
- Betsy B. Woodward Scholarship
- Denise C. Rooney Scholarship
Each award is in the amount of $2,500 and given to students who are planning to go into various types of work, including research and regulatory control, related to the safety of food and drugs. Students must maintain a solid GPA (i.e., 3.0 or higher) and submit two recommendation letters from their professors. You can find out more about these scholarships at the AFDO website.
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation has been funding scholarships for undergraduate students pursuing degrees in food science and related fields since 1987. These merit-based financial awards range in amounts from $2,500 to $10,000, and funds are released intermittently during the academic year.
To be eligible, students must maintain full-time or part-time enrollment at an accredited college or university in a degree program such as restaurant management, culinary arts, hospitality, or other food science/ service sub-field. Funds must be used exclusively for tuition or school-related expenses.
John Kitt Memorial Scholarship
Students looking for scholarship opportunities in a highly specific sub-field of food science should consider the financial award offered by the American Association of Candy Technologists (AACT). The John Kitt Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a deserving student majoring in food science, biological science, chemical science, or a closely related field.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for eligibility, and scholarship applicants must demonstrate an academic interest in confectionery technology.
In addition, students must have achieved at least sophomore status at an accredited college or university. The selected scholarship recipient will receive two installments of $2,500 each to apply to tuition or other school expenses.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Scholarship
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation provides more scholarship funds to food science and dietetics majors than any other organization in America. Students at every level of higher education are eligible to apply to one or more of the Foundation’s scholarships, which range in amount from $500 to $25,000 each. Various other eligibility criteria may apply, depending on what type of degree program applicants are enrolled in.
US Foods Scholars Program
In partnership with the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), the US Foods Scholars Program has been extending financial support to deserving students since 2017. Awards are granted to students planning to study culinary arts or a related field, such as food science, and intend to work in the restaurant industry upon graduation from an accredited degree program.
To date, the program has awarded more than $1 million in financial aid to scholarship recipients. In 2021, 18 scholars were granted $20,000 each to fund their food science/culinary arts educational pursuits. These individuals were chosen through a selection process that considered academic merit, financial need, and student essays.
Project SEED Scholarships
Sponsored by the American Chemical Society (ACS), Project SEED (Summer Experiences for the Economically Disadvantaged) has been offering summer internships for high school students interested in studying chemistry since 1968. In addition to these internship opportunities, the Project also sponsors scholarships for students enrolling in chemistry-related degree programs, including some food science degrees.
These financial aid awards include $5,000 nonrenewable scholarships for freshmen as well as renewable scholarships in the amount of $2,500-$5,000 each.
In addition to enrolling full-time at an accredited college or university, scholarship eligibility requirements include current or past participation in a Project SEED summer internship experience.
Rocky Mountain Institute of Food Technologists Scholarships
Students living in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States who are interested in studying food science at the post-secondary level may be eligible for scholarships offered by the Rocky Mountain division of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).
These scholarships are separate from the IFT Foundation’s scholarships and are reserved for residents of specific states, including Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
This year, awards in the amount of $1,000 each will be granted to eight scholarship recipients who intend to study food science, meat science, nutrition, or closely related fields.
University of Nebraska- Lincoln
Students who intend to study food science at the undergraduate level may be eligible for one of several different scholarships offered by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Specifically, the school’s Food Science and Technology department awards more than $70,000 worth of scholarships to deserving students each year.
In addition, food science majors are also invited to apply to UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources scholarships worth over $630,000 annually. Members of the school’s Food Science Club are also eligible for an additional scholarship award of $500.
Texas A&M University Food Science & Technology Scholarships
Students considering Texas A&M University for their undergraduate degree in food science have a number of different scholarship opportunities available to them. Some of these generous financial aid awards include:
- Bob Longan Fund for Excellence in Food Technology
- William & Mildred Dafcik Food Science & Technology Scholarship
- Blue Bell Creameries/Kruse Family Scholarships
To be considered for these scholarships, students must be enrolled in a degree program offered through the university’s Department of Food Science and Technology.
University of Georgia Food Science & Technology Scholarships
Like many of the colleges and universities in the United States that offer food science degrees, the University of Georgia sponsors scholarships for students interested in pursuing a degree in food science or a related field. Through its Department of Food Science & Technology, the school offers eight different financial awards, including:
- Dorris A. Lillard Scholarship
- John C. Ayres Scholarship
- Joe W. Andrews Scholarship
- Maurice K. Horowitz Scholarship
In addition to departmental scholarships, UGA students are also eligible for select awards offered through the university’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Penn State Department of Food Science Scholarships
One of the largest food science scholarship providers in the U.S., Penn State offers dozens of financial aid awards each year totaling over $150,000. Some of these awards include:
- Star Kay White Scholarship in Food Science
- Zepp Family Food Safety Endowment
- Long Family Scholarship in Food Science
- Fred and Florence Jacobson Food Science Graduate Scholarships
- Ira W. Minter Memorial Award
- Azzara Family Trustee Scholarship
Additional scholarship opportunities are available to both undergraduate and graduate students through Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has specifically earmarked certain scholarships for those students enrolled in an undergraduate food science degree program.
Students enrolled in the university’s College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition are eligible for financial awards that range in amount from $250 a semester to $40,000 over the course of their enrollment.
These students may also be eligible for general merit-based scholarships awarded by the university.
North Carolina State University
Food science students who make the decision to attend North Carolina State University may be eligible for up to $5,000 per year in food science majors scholarships through the school’s Department of Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences.
Departmental awards include dozens of scholarship opportunities for students enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate programs. Examples include:
- Dr. Frank and Rachel Kirby Thomas Food Science and Family Consumer Sciences Scholarship
- Benjamin P. Forbes Scholarship
- Eakes-Turner Food Science Scholarship
- Dr. Wanda E. Lewis Food Science Fellowship
- Tommy McPherson Dairy Science Scholarship
- Food Science Club Professional Development Scholarship
In order to be eligible for these and other scholarships at NC State, students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
University of Missouri
A significant contributor to food science education at the higher education level, the University of Missouri offers over $1 million in scholarships to graduate and undergraduate students through its College of Food & Natural Resources.
Eighteen distinct awards are reserved for those students enrolled in food science degree programs, including the following named scholarships:
- Eugene V. Nay Scholarship
- W. H. E. Reid Scholarship in Dairy Technology
- Anheuser-Busch Fellowship Award
- Beck Flavors Scholarship
- Robert T. Marshall Food Science Fund
- Dr. Marion Fields Graduate Fellowship Funds
Members of the university’s Food Science Association are also eligible for the Anselma DeGuzman Memorial Award.
CalPoly Food Science & Nutrition Scholarships
California Polytechnic State University offers ten different scholarship awards specifically set aside for both graduate and undergraduate students pursuing a food science degree. Examples include:
- California League of Food Producers Scholarship
- H.J. Heinz Scholarship
- Arthur and Margaret Foster Food Science and Nutrition Scholarship
- Ruth Hitt Memorial Scholarship
- Kim and Steven Butler Food Science Scholarship
Additional scholarships are available to students in the food science program through CalPoly’s College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences. Most of these financial aid awards are merit-based and require a minimum GPA to qualify.
Ohio State University Food Science and Technology Scholarships
Students who plan to enroll at Ohio State University for their food science degree will have access to over three dozen scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students offered from the school’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Food Science and Technology. Some of these merit-based financial awards include:
- Blackmore Food Science Scholarship
- Borden Foods Scholarship in Food Science and Technology
- Dayton Milk Foundation Fund
- George Harper Memorial Fund
- The Eloise B. Harper Scholarship Fund in Food Science and Technology
To be eligible for these and other departmental scholarships, students must declare a major in either Food Science, Food Business Management, or Nutrition.
Rutgers University Department of Food Science Scholarships
Almost twenty different scholarships for food science students are available through Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. Some of these merit-based awards require applications while others are granted based solely on faculty recommendations. Examples include:
- Dick H. Kleyn Memorial Award
- Achieving Success Award
- C. Olin Ball Scholarship
- David H. Agans Scholarship
- Eastern Frosted Foods Association Scholarship
- Myron and Rona Solberg Renaissance Scholarship
To be eligible for these and other departmental awards, students must be enrolled in the school’s undergraduate degree program in food science.
University of Massachusetts-Amherst Department of Food Science Scholarships
The University of Massachusetts-Amherst offers six different scholarships to its food science students through the College of Natural Sciences and the Department of Food Science. Sample merit-based awards for food science majors include:
- Richard and Isabelle Nilsson Scholarship
- Alumni Scholarship
- Virginia Dare Award
- Feldberg Scholarship
Students pursuing a food science degree may also be eligible for awards offered directly through the College of Natural Sciences. UMass-Amherst awarded more than $10,000 in undergraduate food science scholarships last year.
Virginia Tech Department of Food Science and Technology Scholarships
Students who are accepted into Virginia Tech’s food science program will be eligible for over a dozen different departmental scholarships. Some of these competitive financial aid awards include:
- Sabra Dipping Company Scholarship
- Cameron Hackney Memorial Enrichment Fund
- Marvin Poster Memorial Scholarship
- Tyson Foods Fund for Excellence
- R.F. Kelley Scholarship
Students who are members of the professional society in food science at Virginia Tech may qualify for additional scholarship opportunities.
University of Florida Food Science and Human Nutrition Department Scholarships
The University of Florida extends scholarship opportunities to both undergraduate and graduate food science students through its Food Science and Human Nutrition Department. Named scholarships include:
- Eugene E. Woodward Memorial Scholarship
- Janna Underhill Achiever Award
- Earl Wilmot Hartt Scholarship
- The Olson Scholarship for MS or PhD Students in Food Science
- Outstanding Senior Award
Food science majors may also be eligible for scholarships offered through UF’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
There are numerous food science majors scholarships available for students in the field of food science. Since different scholarships are awarded to students at varying levels of their education and for differing food science emphases, it can be important to do your research well as you search for funding sources. As these samples show, scholarships for food science majors are plentiful and can be quite generous as well.
This concludes our rundown of the best food science majors scholarships.
Resources:
- Food Science Degrees
- Food/Nutrition Degrees
- Culinary Arts Degrees
- Top Online Master’s in Nutrition
- Free Online Colleges
- Scholarships for High School Seniors