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Get Paid to Become a Chef

If you want to become a chef, you don't necessarily have to pay for your chef school expenses out of pocket. Two forms of "free money" that can fund a portion of your culinary arts education are grants and scholarships. Both provide funding. Neither has to be repaid. Sound too good to be true? It's not. Here's where to look for chef school money.

Grants and scholarships are competitive, yes, but the rules of the competition differ from one to the next. Some grants are need-based. Some scholarships are achievement based. Some money awards fall to underrepresented groups, to women and minorities in the profession. Also, some underrepresented groups give money to their own.

Government Grants Give Chef Careers a Head Start

The king of grants, the government's Pell Grant, provides federal money for chef school. Recent changes in the law make Pell Grant funds available for online study, whether you're seeking a culinary arts degree or you're in a chef training certificate program. Perkins grants fund vocational education for high school age culinary arts students.

States and State Organizations Give Money to Chefs-to-Be

Though states differ widely in their willingness to fund, and though career training and vocational education can be the proverbial political footballs, each state does offer some money to its students. Check your state's department of education to find the grants and scholarships for which you're eligible. Check your state restaurant association, too. You'll find a clickable map at the link below.

Scholarships from Professional Organizations Pay Chef School Fees

Organizations like the American Culinary Federation provide a variety of scholarships for future and current chefs. C-CAP, the Careers through Culinary Arts Program, has been applauded by the cities it serves for its willingness to fund career re-education, especially for low income students.

If you're already a culinary professional, or you're near graduation, you can find grant money to fund your culinary arts career growth, too. Books like Peterson's Culinary Schools or the Culinary Career School Starter provide funding information and helpful tips about paying for chef school.

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