Each year, the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association’s Foundation awards a wide variety of hospitality scholarships to students across the state of North Carolina. These funds support the pursuit of higher education for future hospitality leaders. In 2025, we awarded $37,500 in scholarship funding to 12 students.
Meet our 2025 scholarship recipients, here!
2026 – 2027 NCRLA Foundation scholarship applications will open on December 3, 2025 and are due by March 6, 2026.
Expand the Student Scholarship section below to see the available scholarships.
To view the 2026 scholarship FAQ, click here. Minimum GPA of 3.0 required for eligibility.
Jimmy Alfano Scholarship
This scholarship honors Angus Barn employee Jimmy Alfano, who had a passion for culinary arts and mentoring young people. Students eligible for this award must have experience as a restaurant employee, with preference given to those with independent restaurant experience or a strong desire to work in an independent restaurant. There are three scholarships available, each in the amount of $4,000.
William F. Carl Scholarship
The William F. Carl Scholarship honors the late co-founder of Golden Corral by granting $3,500 annually in scholarships to eligible children of employees working in the hospitality industry. William F. Carl was a firm believer that the dedication and hard work of hourly workers were the industry’s foundation for growth and success. It grants awards to any student under 24 years of age who is attending two- or four-year community colleges or university program in North Carolina.
Davidson and Jones Hotel Corporation Scholarship
This annual scholarship of $1,000 is given to a rising college junior or senior enrolled in a four-year culinary, hospitality, or related program in North Carolina.
LM Restaurants’ Family Scholarship
In support of current team members and their aspirations, the LM Restaurants and the Moshakos family have designated two (2) annual scholarships in the amount of $2,500 for pursuit of higher education for eligible team members. Lou and Joy have an unwavering commitment to supporting education opportunities for their restaurant family. The family created these scholarships to make it a little easier for deserving, motivated students to pursue their goals and dreams. Team members must have a minimum of 6 months of continuous employment or a cumulative 6 months of seasonal employment with LM Restaurants in North Carolina, Florida, or Tennessee and may use the scholarship at any accredited college or university in the United States.
Lynn Minges Scholarship Fund
The Lynn Minges Scholarship Fund celebrates the distinguished leadership, legacy, and service of Lynn D. Minges, honoring her extraordinary contributions to North Carolina’s hospitality and tourism industry. It supports students who demonstrate passion for hospitality, tourism, and community impact—reflecting Lynn’s lifelong commitment to growing and strengthening this vital industry across North Carolina. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, and a dedication to carrying forward Lynn’s values of service, integrity, and innovation while building their careers in North Carolina’s hospitality community. There is one annual scholarship in the amount of $4,000 available.
Pepsi “Service that Sells” Scholarship
Pepsi believes that excellent customer service is the key to success in the hospitality industry. This award is designed for ProStart students and alumni that are pursuing education in hospitality related careers and have already had some customer service experience working in a restaurant or similar job. The amount of this scholarship award is $2,000.
Mikel Weber Scholarship
The Mikel Weber Scholarship honors the late Senior Vice President of Operations for Golden Corral Corporation. It awards $1,000 to individuals who are furthering their education in pursuit of a career in the hospitality industry. Weber epitomized what it takes to be successful: a love for the restaurant industry, genuine care for those he worked with, and an unsurpassed dedication to supporting the success of others.
