The deadline to apply for DECA's 2026-2027 scholarship program is January 11, 2027! This is your chance to earn financial support for your education while being recognized for your achievements. More than $200,000 in scholarships will be awarded to current DECA members.
How to Apply for a DECA Scholarship
- Begin your scholarship application through the DECA Scholarship Portal.
- Current DECA members will need to create an account on the page by clicking “CREATE AN ACCOUNT.” If you have previously applied for a scholarship, you can log in with your username/password.
- Fill in your information to begin the application process
- Ask your DECA advisor for your DECA membership number before beginning your application
- Once you complete the basic information, the scholarship portal will display the scholarships you are eligible to apply for
- Applicants will be required to upload a transcript and acquire three (3) letters of recommendation
- Some scholarships require additional materials, such as an essay, a video, or proof of a credential. Visit deca.org/scholarships to view the requirements for each scholarship.
- Once you complete an application and submit all requirements (unofficial transcript, letters of recommendation, and any additional requirements for a specific scholarship), the system will accept it for review.
- All items (including letters of recommendation) must be submitted by January 11, 2027, to be eligible.
When submitting an application for any scholarship, here's how to leverage your DECA involvement to stand out.
Scholarship Categories
1. Career Interest and Employment-Based
- Hilton (career interest in hospitality)
- NAAEI (career interest in property management)
- Publix (employee of Publix)
- Raising Cane's (employee of Raising Cane’s and/or interest in the restaurant/food industry)
2. Credential-Based
- IBM SkillsBuild (completed certification)
- NRF Foundation – Rise Up (completed certification)
3. School-based Enterprises (SBE)
- Otis Spunkmeyer (must work in the chapter’s school-based enterprise and sell Otis Spunkmeyer products)
- NRF Foundation SBE Innovation (must work in the chapter’s school-based enterprise)
4. Leadership and Community-Oriented
- DECA Inc.
- DECA Regions (Central, North Atlantic, Southern, and Western)
- Leadership Initiatives
- National Technical Honors Society (NTHS)*
*Additional membership required
Additional Scholarships
In addition to the scholarships listed above, DECA members may be eligible for other scholarships awarded under the DECA Inc./Harry A. Applegate umbrella of scholarships. These scholarships are not listed individually in the scholarship portal.
Need More Information?
- Check out our Frequently Asked Questions
- Email us at scholarships@deca.org
