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The day you get accepted into culinary school is exciting. Suddenly your future starts to feel real, but that excitement comes with a practical question: how will you pay for it?
Between tuition, kitchen tools, and living costs, culinary school is a serious financial commitment, and if you don’t have years of savings built up, it’s natural to wonder where the money will come from.
Many students combine a few different resources, such as loans, scholarships, savings, and family help, to make the numbers work. Here are six ways that could help you cover the bill.
1. Work Part-Time and Save Up During High School
Few high school students can cover culinary school expenses entirely from part-time earnings. However, even saving a few thousand dollars can significantly lower the total amount you need to borrow for tuition and fees.
Beyond the financial benefit, working while in school could help you adjust to the demands of a culinary career.
“Take advantage of everything,” said Escoffier Chef Instructor Colette Christian. “Get that Associate degree, work part-time. Really understand how hard the work is.”
You may also be able to keep your job while you go to culinary school. If you do, ask your boss if they offer tuition reimbursement. For instance, programs like Work & Learn match employer contributions up to $5,250 through the Work & Learn Education Partner Scholarship.
Escoffier graduate, Terrydon Williams, discusses his experience working at Angry Cactus while enrolled in culinary school.
2. Apply for Federal Financial Aid
Most high school students pay for culinary school with a combination of federal loans and grants, collectively known as federal financial aid.
Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see whether you qualify for federal support, including Direct Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, Pell Grants, and work-study options. It’s worth applying even if you doubt you’ll qualify, since you won’t know your award package until you do.
Navigating the application process can feel daunting, but Escoffier’s financial aid office is there to guide families through it.
“Any question my mom had, she could directly call or email (Escoffier’s) Financial Aid [department],” said Escoffier graduate Colton Ragland. “To have that access and ability to know that they’ll respond is pretty nice.”*
A Quick Look at Federal Financial Aid
These are some of the loans, grants, and work opportunities you could be awarded if you apply and qualify.
- Direct Loans: Formerly called Stafford Loans, these are the primary federal loans available to students, with two main types: subsidized and unsubsidized. Subsidized loans are need-based, and the government covers interest while you’re in school; with unsubsidized loans, interest begins accruing right away.
- Federal Pell Grant: Awarded based on financial need, this grant does not need to be repaid unless you withdraw from school.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): A need-based grant for students with exceptional financial need, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited funding. Does not need to be repaid.
- Parent PLUS Loans: Loans awarded to the parents of eligible students. The maximum is the cost of attendance at the student’s school, minus any other financial aid awarded, not to exceed $20,000.
- Federal Work-Study: A program that allows students with financial need to work part-time, on- or off-campus, while attending school.
Get the Financial Aid Guide for Culinary School
The first step towards seeing if you qualify for financial aid for culinary school is completing the FAFSA®. Follow this essential guide and be on your way today!
3. Ask Friends & Family for a Personal Loan
A close friend or family member may be willing to help cover some or all of your culinary school costs. If that’s an option, weigh the upside against the risk before you ask.
A personal loan can sometimes come with a lower interest rate than a bank or lending institution would offer, and the person lending the money may not factor your credit history the way a lender would. On the other hand, mixing money and a personal relationship can carry its own risk. Think carefully before approaching anyone about a personal loan, and if you do move forward, put the terms in writing so expectations about repayment are clear from the start.
Borrowing money from family could be an option, but make sure to specify the repayment terms to prevent challenges or misunderstandings in the future.
4. Apply for Culinary Scholarships
Many students don’t realize how many scholarship opportunities exist.
“I didn’t know when to look for scholarships or where to look for them,” Ragland said. “Escoffier had a lot of scholarships just within their program. That’s exactly what I needed to make sure I felt comfortable with getting this degree.”*
There are many scholarships available to aspiring culinary school students, and some of those are reserved specifically for graduating high school students.
Competition-Based Scholarships
Competition-based scholarships reward students who participate in, or place in, recognized high school culinary competitions. Most award at least a participation scholarship just for entering, with larger awards for top placements at the regional, state, or national level.
Competition-Based Scholarships at Escoffier
| Scholarship | Amount | Requirements |
| FCCLA Scholarship Competition | $500 (participation) up to $7,500 | Enroll and start classes within 12 months of HS graduation; proof of competition award |
| ProStart® Scholarship Competition | $500 up to $7,500 | Same as above |
| SkillsUSA Scholarship Competition | $500 up to $7,500 | Same as above |
| Young Escoffier High School Scholarship | $500 up to $3,500 | Juniors/seniors; Boulder, Austin, or virtual tracks; proof of participation |
| Escoffier Crown High School Scholarship | $500 up to $3,500 | High school juniors and seniors; minimum age 16; see website for current deadlines |
| High School BBQ, Inc. Scholarship | $1,500 up to $5,000 (no participation award) | Top 3 five-person teams at regional or state-level cook-offs |
These competitive scholarships can be combined, but total awards cannot exceed $7,500 for a diploma program or $15,000 for an associate degree.
Credential-Based Scholarships
Credential-based scholarships reward students for completing a recognized culinary training program in high school, rather than for placing in a competition.
The ProStart® National Certificate of Achievement Scholarship, for example, awards up to $1,500 in scholarships for students who complete the ProStart program, earn the National Certificate of Achievement (pass two national exams, complete 400 mentored hours), and enroll within 12 months of graduation.
The National Restaurant Association’s Education Fund is a merit-based scholarship that awards over $1 million in culinary and foodservice scholarships each year, many to graduating seniors.
Need-Based Scholarships
Need-based scholarships are awarded based on financial circumstances rather than competition results, and some are only available once you’re already enrolled.
| Scholarship | Amount | Requirements |
| Institutional Scholarship | Up to $15,000 | Assists with any institutional expense; eligibility varies |
| The Escoffier Scholarship Foundation | Up to $1,500 (one-time) | Available to current students only; requires 1+ completed quarter, 2.0 GPA minimum, completed FAFSA, and unmet need after other aid |
| Student Veteran Scholarship | Up to $15,000 | For veterans with validated military status and remaining financial need |
5. Take Advantage of Veterans’ Family Benefits
If a parent or family member has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, you may be eligible for financial aid tied to their service, even if you’ve never served yourself.
| Benefit | Amount | Who Qualifies |
| Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) – Chapter 35 | Varies by benefit level | Child or spouse of a veteran or service member who is disabled, missing in action, captured, or deceased as a result of their service |
| Post-9/11 GI Bill® Transfer of Entitlement | Varies; can include tuition and housing benefits | Dependents of eligible service members who have transferred their benefits; transfer eligibility depends on service length and timing, so check with a VA advisor |
| Escoffier Veterans Spouse/Dependent Grant | $500 | Spouses or dependents of veterans who apply and qualify |
Escoffier also offers a Military Grant ($1,000) and a Veteran Grant ($1,000) for currently serving military members and veterans themselves.
Eligibility for VA benefits is determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, and the rules can be complex. If you have questions or aren’t sure what you may qualify for, Escoffier’s Financial Aid Department can help you sort through the details.
6. Take Steps to Cut Your Expenses
Keeping day-to-day costs manageable can help minimize the amount you need to borrow. A few simple adjustments could add up to significant savings:
Make a Budget
You don’t need anything fancy to track your spending. A basic spreadsheet works fine, and there are plenty of free apps and online tools that can help you build and stick to a budget. Many banking apps also include built-in spending trackers and automatic payment setups, which can make it easier to stay consistent without much extra effort.
Think Through Your Living Situation
Where you live during school can have a big impact on your budget. If your program is online, studying from your own kitchen may keep costs down. If you’re headed to a campus, consider whether living at home, splitting rent with roommates, or another option makes the most sense for your situation. If you do need to relocate, Escoffier’s team can help you look into student housing options near campus.
If you’re commuting to class, carpooling with classmates or checking whether your campus requires a parking permit are small things that can add up in savings over time.
Cook at Home When You Can
Cooking at home is generally more affordable than eating out, and it’s also a good chance to practice the skills you’re building in class. If you have roommates, splitting the cost of groceries in exchange for cooking a few meals a week could work out well for everyone.
Cooking at home can save money and give you time to practice your culinary skills!
Ask About Payment Plans
Beyond cutting costs, Escoffier also offers flexible payment plan options for students who intend to pay by check or credit card, which can make it easier to spread tuition payments out over time. Reach out to the Financial Aid Department to see what options might work for your situation.
Let’s Build Your Financial Plan
From leveraging part-time earnings and applying for federal financial aid to securing competitive scholarships and minimizing daily living expenses, you have a wide range of tools available to help make culinary school more affordable. Taking the time to explore each option now can make a substantial difference in your overall investment, and your peace of mind, down the line.
Ready to turn your culinary aspirations into an actionable plan? You don’t have to navigate this process on your own. Escoffier’s dedicated Financial Aid and Admissions teams are here to help you review your options.
Contact us to get your questions answered and start mapping out your path to culinary school.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FINANCING YOUR EDUCATION, TRY THESE ARTICLES NEXT:
- How Long Does it Take to Pay Back Student Loan Debt…And Is it Worth It?
- Is Culinary School Expensive?
- Can You Deduct College Tuition From Taxes?
This article was originally published on March 30, 2023, and has since been updated.
FAQs
Yes. Juniors and seniors can begin the FAFSA® process while still in school to get a head start on planning for after graduation. Financial aid can be awarded before you graduate, but you’ll need to provide proof of your diploma or GED before you can finalize enrollment.
In many cases, yes. Scholarships and grants generally don’t need to be repaid, while federal loans do. Many of Escoffier’s scholarships can be combined, though total awards are typically capped at $7,500 for diploma programs and $15,000 for associate degree programs. A financial aid advisor can help you understand your specific situation.
Yes. You won’t know what you’re eligible for until you apply, and many students qualify for at least some type of aid. Completing the FAFSA® is the only way to find out for sure, and there’s no commitment to enroll.
Yes. Escoffier offers flexible payment plan options for students who intend to pay by check or credit card, which can make it easier to spread tuition costs out over time rather than paying a lump sum. Contact the Financial Aid Department to see what’s available for your program.
