Creed Ford III Memorial Scholarship Application
Scholarship Sponsored by Texas Restaurant Association
Please answer every question and complete every blank on the application. If an item does not apply, write N/A.
Overview and eligibility
- Applicants must be Texas residents (attendance may be at an out-of-state school).
- Must be actively enrolled in a degree-granting foodservice or hospitality program.
- Must be a registered full-time student (12 credit hours or more). At least 3 credit hours per semester must be in foodservice or hospitality management.
- Must have participated in the ProStart culinary arts program in high school.
- Minimum academic standards: overall GPA of 2.75 and a major GPA of 3.50. (For high school seniors, the overall GPA minimum is 2.75.)
- Applicants must demonstrate potential to contribute positively to the foodservice industry; stated career goals and objectives should reflect that intention.
- Award payments require verification of enrolled hours after the academic term’s last drop date each semester.
- Previous scholarship recipients are not eligible for a second award.
- Students in their final college semester (college seniors in their last term) are not eligible.
- Scholarships will not be paid for summer terms.
How applications are evaluated
The selection committee will score applications using these factors:
- Spelling and punctuation
- Grade point average and ACT/SAT results
- Class rank (applies to high school seniors only)
- Honors and community involvement
- Responses to essay questions
- Quality and strength of references
- Industry-related employment experience
- Length of foodservice work experience (1–5 years)
Required materials and document rules
All supporting documents must be uploaded by the deadline (see below). Failure to follow the document requirements or to upload on time will result in disqualification.
- Official transcript from your current high school or university.
- College applicants must provide transcripts covering at least the previous two academic years. Freshmen must also include their high school transcript.
- Two signed letters of recommendation:
1. From a current or former employer — on company letterhead and with the signature placed over the envelope seal.
2. From an official at your current high school, culinary academy, or university — on school letterhead and with the signature placed over the envelope seal.
Deadline and disqualification
All parts of the application, including letters of reference and official transcripts, must be uploaded by April 4, 2026. Applications, reference letters, or transcripts received after this date will not be accepted. Applicants who do not meet application requirements or who fail to follow instructions will be disqualified.