How much funding does Ryan Wells Foundation Scholarship provide?

Ryan Wells Foundation Scholarship provides $500 - $20,000 in funding.

When is the deadline for Ryan Wells Foundation Scholarship?

The deadline is January 17, 2027.

Ryan Wells Foundation Scholarship

RYAN WELLS FOUNDATION INC

Foundation Annual Grants for Education

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Funding Amount

$500 - $20,000

Deadline

January 17, 2027

244 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Ryan Wells Foundation Scholarship

Geographic Scope: Pinellas County, Florida

Focus Areas: Post-secondary education in culinary arts, baking and pastry, and hospitality fields

Background: The Ryan Wells Foundation strives to identify passionate Pinellas County students and invest in their continued education. Student scholarships for post-secondary education in culinary arts and hospitality represent 50-60% of the foundation's annual funding. From 2006 to present, the foundation has awarded scholarships to 176 high school students in Pinellas County totaling $1,267,000.

Award Details:

Scholarship amounts range from $500 up to $20,000, with most starting at $6,000

Scholarships are dispersed over a 2-year or 4-year period to ensure student graduation and long-term success

Students must enroll in a post-secondary institution within 1 year of high school graduation

Scholarship funds can be used for items billable by the institution

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be:

High School Status: Graduating high school senior OR dual-enrolled student at Pinellas Technical College (Clearwater or St. Petersburg campus)

Course Requirements: Completed 3 or more semesters of culinary or hospitality courses at one of the following schools: Dixie Hollins High, Northeast High, Osceola High, or Tarpon Springs High (OR 6 months of dual enrollment at Pinellas Technical College)

Academic: Minimum 2.5 GPA

Activities: Extracurricular and volunteer activities are highly valued

Post-Secondary Enrollment: Must enroll in any post-secondary institution for culinary, baking and pastry, and/or hospitality within 1 year of high school graduation

Matching Opportunities:

Johnson & Wales University: Scholarship may be matched up to $5,000 per year

Art Institute: Scholarship may be matched up to $5,000 per year

Keiser University: Scholarship may be matched up to $3,000 per year

Notable Outcomes

In a 2013 survey, 18 out of 24 scholarship recipients had graduated or were currently earning degrees in culinary or hospitality fields from institutions including:

Culinary Institute of America

Johnson & Wales University

University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality

Degrees awarded include Baking and Pastry, Food Service Management, Hospitality & Tourism Management, and Event Management.

Industry Partnerships

The foundation partners with:

Johnson & Wales University - annual scholarship matching

Keiser University - annual scholarship matching

Chef Chris Ponte (Cafe Ponte) - offers annual scholarship award of $5,000

Pinellas Education Foundation - houses all scholarship funds and disperses directly to student institutions

Contact Information

The Ryan Wells Foundation
3636 Woodridge Place
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
info@ryanwellsfoundation.com

For application issues: Susan Al-Abed at al-abed@pinellaseducation.org

How to Apply

1. Visit the Application Portal: Go to https://pinellaseducation.awardspring.com/

2. Complete Online Application:
- Applications can be saved and reopened to finish later
- After completion, you will be presented with a list of scholarships you meet criteria for
- The Ryan Wells Foundation Scholarship should appear in your list if eligible
- If not listed, contact Susan Al-Abed at al-abed@pinellaseducation.org

3. Submit Additional Materials by Deadline:
- Submit via email to: info@ryanwellsfoundation.com
- Or mail to:
The Ryan Wells Foundation
3636 Woodridge Place
Palm Harbor, FL 34684