VIC Scholarships

VIC Scholarships Program

Funder: Visitor Industry Council (VIC) in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami

Geographic Scope: Greater Miami-Dade County, Florida

Program Focus Areas:
The VIC funds scholarships in the following disciplines:

• Aviation Administration
• Culinary Arts
• Hospitality & Tourism Management
• Sports Management

Participating Schools:

• Florida International University (FIU)
• Florida Memorial University (FMU)
• Miami Dade College (MDC)
• St. Thomas University (STU)

Award Type: Tuition and tuition-related fees only (not direct monetary awards)

Key Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship: Required
• Miami-Dade County Residency: Must have been a resident for at least one year
• Work Ethic: Strong work ethics and desire to build a career in Tourism & Hospitality
• Industry Commitment: Commitment to being employed in the Greater Miami-Dade Visitor Industry
• Academic Enrollment: Must declare a major, obtain student ID number, and have a student email account
• Minimum GPA Requirements:
  • Miami Dade College: 2.5
  • Florida International University: 3.0
  • Florida Memorial University: 2.5
  • St. Thomas University: 2.5
• High School Students: Those applying to MDC must complete the admissions process
• Bachelor's Level Entry: FIU, FMU, and STU applicants must have an associate's degree or 60 credit hours

Program Support:
Beyond financial aid, awardees receive:

• Career development and guidance
• Workshops and mentoring
• Exclusive networking invitations

Florida International University:

• Beverage Management (BS)
• Event Management (BS)
• Food Innovation & Entrepreneurship (BS)
• Hospitality Leadership (BS)
• Hotel/Lodging Management (BS)
• Restaurant/Culinary Management (BS)
• Global Sustainable Tourism (BA)
• Spirit Management (BS)
• Travel & Tourism Management (BS)

Florida Memorial University:

• Aeronautical Science (BS)
• Aviation Management (BS)

Miami Dade College:

• Aviation Administration (AS)
• Culinary Arts Management (AS)
• Hospitality Administration/Travel & Tourism (AA)
• Hospitality & Tourism Management (AS)
• Sports Management (AS)
• Transportation & Logistics (AS)
• Certificate Programs: Airline/Aviation Management, Chef Apprentice, Passenger Service Agent, Food and Beverage Specialist, Logistics and Transportation Specialist, Rooms Division Specialist, Sports Management

St. Thomas University:

• Culinary Arts Management (BS)
• Sports Administration (BA)
• Tourism & Hospitality Management (BS)

Contact Information:

• Email: VIC@gmcvb.com
• Address: 201 S Biscayne Blvd, Suite 2200, Miami, FL 33131
• Phone: 1-305-539-3000 or 1-800-933-8448

Important Notes:

• Contact information and address must be the same on all documents (resume, transcript, application)
• Applications with incomplete or incorrect uploads will be declined
• Awardees are expected to commit to work in the industry

VIC Scholarship Application Process

Step 1: Pre-Check Eligibility
Before applying, verify you meet all requirements:

1. Check minimum GPA requirement for your institution
2. Confirm you are currently attending or have been admitted to an eligible institution
3. Ensure you have all required documents

Step 2: Required Documents
Gather the following materials before starting the application:

1. Current Resume
2. Official High School/College/University Transcript
3. Two (2) Signed and Dated Character Reference Letters
4. 250-Word Essay outlining academic and career goals

Essay Prompt:
Your essay must address the following question:
"Greater Miami and Miami Beach are recognized as international and cosmopolitan destinations, offering unique opportunities for both professional development and unforgettable visitor experiences. As a student pursuing a career in hospitality and tourism, how would you describe how this dynamic environment inspires you professionally and how you would explain its significance to friends, family, and visitors."

Step 3: Complete Online Application
The application requires you to:

1. Select one school and one major from the list provided
2. Enter personal information (full legal name, email, phone, address)
3. Provide school email and student information
4. List high school attended
5. Identify relevant coursework/skills including:
   • Employability Skills
   • Customer Service
   • Experience with Excel, Hotels/Cruise/Airlines Reservations Systems
   • Meeting or Event Planning
   • Microsoft Suite
   • Hotel/Night Auditor experience
   • Public Speaking
   • QuickBooks knowledge
6. Note any other awards, degrees, or certifications
7. Upload required documents in specified format

Step 4: Document Upload
All documents must be uploaded through the online portal:

• Resume (current)
• Official transcript (must be official copy)
• First character reference letter (dated and signed)
• Second character reference letter (dated and signed)
• 250-word essay (digital file)

Step 5: Pre-Submission Checklist
Before submitting, verify:

• Resume is current
• Official college/university transcript is uploaded
• Two (2) dated and signed reference letters are included
• 250-word essay includes academic & career goals and response to the essay prompt

Step 6: Interview
If your application is accepted, you will be scheduled for an interview with the VIC scholarship committee at the GMCVB offices in Downtown Miami (201 S Biscayne Blvd, Suite 2200, Miami, FL 33131).

Contact for Questions:
Email: VIC@gmcvb.com