The newly launched Explore Asheville Hospitality Scholarship aims to support the development, recruitment, and retention of the hospitality workforce in Buncombe County. This initiative is part of Explore Asheville’s Hospitality Workforce Development Program, which addresses staffing challenges that emerged during the pandemic and worsened due to Hurricane Helene. The program seeks to nurture local talent through workshops, internships, and scholarships to strengthen the future of the industry.
Students interested in and committed to pursuing a career in hospitality or related fields can receive up to $2,500 annually for four years at any North Carolina post-secondary institution. The scholarship covers tuition, housing, books, and other educational expenses for certificate programs, associate and bachelor’s degrees, and graduate studies.
Candidates must be at least 16 years old, and either be high school seniors in Buncombe County or enrolled in a North Carolina higher education institution, while maintaining permanent residency in Buncombe County. All applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to qualify.
The application closes at 5 p.m. on April 7. Scholarship awardees will be notified on April 14.
For more information visit exploreasheville.com/scholarship. Questions can be sent to scholarship@exploreasheville.com.