C-CAP Scholarship FAQs
 Click through these Frequently Asked Questions to find out how you can compete for a C-CAP scholarship to culinary school.
What is the C-CAP Cooking Competition for Scholarships?
Who can apply to enter the cooking competition?
How does the application and competition process work?
What do I need to include in the Competition Application?
Where do I send my completed application?
How will I know if I’ve been selected to compete in the Preliminary Competition?
How will I know if I’ve been selected to compete in the Final Competition?
How will I know if I’ve won a C-CAP scholarship?
Do I need a certain GPA (Grade Point Average) to receive a scholarship?
Q: What is the C-CAP Cooking Competition for Scholarships?
A: Students prepare recipes they have memorized and are judged by local industry professionals. Winners are awarded scholarships for culinary school. There are four parts to the C-CAP Cooking Competition for Scholarships:
- Competition Application
- Preliminary Competition
- Final Competition
- Interview
Q: Who can apply to enter the cooking competition?
A: Here are the requirements to apply:
- Students must be enrolled in a culinary class in a participating C-CAP school. (Check with your culinary instructor if C-CAP is in your school.)
- Students must have completed at least one course in the culinary arts.
- Students must demonstrate interest, talent, and skill in the culinary arts.
- Students may not be older than 21 years of age.
- GED students who are not older than 21 are eligible.
Q: How does the application and competition process work?
A: Here are the steps:
- Submit all required Competition Application documents to your culinary arts teacher or directly to your local C-CAP coordinator by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and are disqualified immediately.
- Learn and practice the Preliminary Competition recipes and requirements. Submitting a completed application does not guarantee you will be in the competition. But to be ready, it’s important to start learning the recipes and practicing the knife cuts immediately!
- Wait to be notified if you are selected for the Preliminary Competition. You will receive a letter stating if you have, or have not, been selected to compete.
- Compete in the Preliminary Competition, if selected.
- Learn and practice the recipes for the Final Competition. Again, you want to be ready to compete if you make it to the finals.
- Wait to be notified if you are selected for the Final Competition. You will receive a letter stating if you have, or have not, been selected to compete.
- Compete in the Final Competition, if selected.
- Interview with the C-CAP staff. Interviews take place after the Final Competition.
- If you win a scholarship, it will be presented at a local C-CAP awards breakfast.
Q: What do I need to include in the Competition Application?
A: There are five parts to a completed Competition Application:
- C-CAP Cooking Competition for Scholarships Application Form: Fill out ALL sections of the 2-page application.
- School Research Sheets: Research 4 schools you would like to attend. One must be a community college. Fill out the School Research Sheets with the Application. There is a separate sheet for each school. Rank the schools starting with the one you like best.
- Letters of Recommendation: Attach at least 2 letters of recommendation from past or present employers or your high school teachers. (Sample forms are with the Application.) Recommendations must be on business or school letterhead paper, signed, and dated.
- Personal Essay on Your Career Goals: Write a formal essay (minimum of 250 words) describing your career goals. Submit a handwritten copy and a typed copy of your essay. It will be judged on content, style, spelling, and grammar.
- High School Transcript: Attach a copy of your high school transcript (either official or unofficial is acceptable) that is clear and easy to read. DO NOT use a copier to reduce the size of your transcript to save space.
You will find all of the Competition Application materials and directions in the Application PDF to download.
In addition, students and their families must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by the Competition Application deadline. This form is submitted to the appropriate federal government office, not C-CAP. (Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov or call toll-free 1-800-4-FED-AID.) You can also find out more about FAFSA in Students. Or ask your school guidance or career counselor.
Q: Where do I send my completed Competition Application?
A: First, make sure you know the deadline for submitting the Competition Application. (Check with your culinary arts teacher or the local C-CAP Coordinator. The deadline will also be posted online.) Be sure you have completed all parts of the Competition Application. Remember, incomplete applications cannot be accepted. Here’s what to do:
- Deliver 2 copies of your completed Competition Application (with all attachments) to your local C-CAP coordinator by the application deadline. Applications cannot be sent via FAX. They must be mailed or hand-delivered.
- Keep 1 copy of the complete Competition Application for your records.
- Be sure you have completed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by the Competition Application deadline.
Check in advance with your culinary arts teacher about this process. You may submit your completed application to your teacher to give to the C-CAP coordinator. Or it may be your responsibility to get your application materials to the local C-CAP coordinator. Make sure you know!
Q: How will I know if I’ve been selected to compete in the Preliminary Competition?
A: Your local C-CAP coordinator will send you a letter stating if you have, or have not, been accepted to compete in the Preliminary Competition. Your culinary arts teacher will also be notified.
Q: How will I know if I’ve been selected to compete in the Final Competition?
A: Your local C-CAP coordinator will send you a letter stating if you have, or have not, been accepted to compete in the Final Competition. Your culinary arts teacher will also be notified. Keep in mind that competing in the Preliminary does not guarantee you will compete in the Final Competition.
Q: How will I know if I’ve won a scholarship?
A: Your local C-CAP coordinator and your culinary arts teacher will notify you of the time and place of your local C-CAP Awards breakfast. You will learn there if you have won a C-CAP scholarship.
Q: Do I need a certain GPA (Grade Point Average) to receive a scholarship?
A: Yes, some scholarships awarded by C-CAP require a minimum GPA. C-CAP reserves the right to distribute scholarships as it deems appropriate. Check C-CAP Scholarships for awards presented, including specific scholarships with GPA requirements.
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