Frequently Asked Questions

A scholarship is a financial award that helps a student pay the cost of their institution’s attendance. Scholarships are awarded to the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts students based on financial need, academic merit, or other criteria. Unlike loans, scholarships are not repaid by students.

The Escoffier Scholarship Foundation is governed by an independent and volunteer Board of Directors. Directors bring broad expertise and deep commitment to the mission-critical work of the Foundation. They are passionate about advancing opportunities for others to benefit from the exceptional education offered by the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. The Board of Directors serve the Escoffier Scholarship Foundation as defined in the bylaws for one to three-year terms. They come from diverse backgrounds and share expertise in areas like governance, strategic planning, financial management, institutional investments, marketing and communications, and fundraising. They hold fiduciary responsibility to make good-faith decisions with diligence consistent with the Escoffier Scholarship Foundation mission.

Most donors contribute to the Escoffier Scholarship Foundation to support the future of culinary and hospitality professionals. Some feel a specific learning experience, a faculty member, or a place on campus helped shape them into who they are today. Some are interested in helping students with financial limitations, in giving to a field of study important to them, or in contributing to ensure students have access to learning environments to foster their success.

Auguste Escoffier Educational Fund, Inc. is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to tax-exempt organizations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Please consult your tax advisor regarding specific questions about the deductibility of your contribution.

The Escoffier Scholarship Foundation is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of donor and gift information. In addition, if a donor wishes to remain anonymous, the Foundation can honor that request.

The Escoffier Scholarship Foundation is committed to respecting the privacy of all donors, according to their wishes, in perpetuity. This commitment to maintaining confidentiality of all non-public donor and gift information is a pillar of the Foundation’s core values to deliver an exceptional donor experience. Donor information includes but is not limited to; contact information, donation, and payment details, planned giving details, and any other personal information the Foundation obtains through our relationship with them. Donor records, both hard copy and digital, and other donor information are deemed highly confidential and protected by internal policy. The Escoffier Scholarship Foundation discloses such information only at the request of the donor.

Every donor gift is significant and helps to maintain and grow the institution’s excellence and distinction. An annual impact report will be publicly reported and accessible via our website. All donations will be reported and used to fund scholarships in addition to our Foundation’s operational costs. The Escoffier Scholarship Foundation is committed to being transparent by sharing all our financial records.

Some donors make gifts directed to be invested in an endowment which will benefit students in perpetuity. These are called endowed gifts. The Escoffier Scholarship Foundation invests these gifts in a long-term investment pool. A percentage of the endowment balance is distributed quarterly to support the donor’s designated purpose. To learn more about making a current or an endowed gift, please email the Foundation at scholarship@escoffier.edu.