DECA's Scholarship Program provides over $300,000 in scholarships at the International Career Development Conference each year. More than 50 corporations, provide scholarships through the DECA Scholarship Program. DECA Inc. administers the program based on guidelines set by the donor. DECA scholarships are strictly merit based.

Applications are available online. Click here

With the exception of the Harry Applegate scholarship, all online scholarship applications listed below must be submitted by 5:00pm EST on Friday, February 12, 2010.

Examples of companies or organizations that partner with DECA to provide scholarships to DECA members include:

Don DeBolt – two (2) $2,000 scholarships, awarded to DECA members who have an interest in pursing franchising and entrepreneurship course of study, DECA activities, leadership, community involvement and grades.

Finish Line – fifteen (15) $1,000 scholarships, awarded to DECA members who are Finish Line associates. The scholarship is based on work performance, DECA activities, leadership and grades.

Harry Applegate – scholarship that corporate supporters contribute to but actually awarded in the company's name. Scholarship is based on DECA involvement, leadership ability, community service and grades. Members must complete the form along with all supporting documents and send it to the state advisor. Each state has set their own deadline. The amount of applications that are sent to DECA from the state advisor is based on an allocation system. The scholarship allocations are sent along with the competitive event allocations.

Kmart Corporation – five (5) $1,000 scholarships, awarded to DECA members who are associates of Kmart. The scholarship is based on work performance, DECA activities, leadership and grades.

Marriott International – six (6) $1,500 scholarships, awarded to DECA members who can show evidence of DECA activities, grades, leadership ability and hospitality experience or interest.

NAPA – nine (9) $1,000 scholarships, this scholarship is awarded to DECA members who are also NAPA associates or have an interest in the automotive industry. The scholarship is based on work performance, DECA involvement, leadership and grades.

National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) – two (2) $1,000 scholarships, this scholarship is awarded to DECA members who are also a member of the National Technical Honor Society. The scholarship is based on involvement with DECA and NTHS.

Otis Spunkmeyer – five (5) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who work in their school store and sell Otis Spunkmeyer products.

Safeway – ten (10) $1,000 scholarships, this scholarship is awarded to DECA members who are also Safeway associates. Safeway bases the scholarship on work performance, DECA involvement, leadership and grades.

SEARS – five (5) $1,000 scholarships, this scholarship is awarded to DECA members who are also SEARS associates. SEARS bases the scholarship on work performance, DECA involvement, leadership and grades.

SWIRL – two (2) $1,000 scholarships, this scholarship is awarded to DECA members who have demonstrated exceptional understanding and skill in sales and marketing. The scholarship is based on relationship with SWIRL Dealer, DECA activities, leadership and grades.

TJMaxx/Marshalls – three (3) $1,000 scholarships, awarded to DECA members who are associates of TJMaxx companies. The scholarship is based on work performance, DECA activities, leadership and grades.

Walgreens – five (5) $1,000 scholarships, awarded to DECA members who can show evidence of community service, leadership, DECA activities and grades.

Professional Development
The professional development scholarship program is for DECA advisors that want to further their education for careers in marketing, management or marketing education. Some scholarships can be used to reimburse fees of attendance at an annual conference that provides continuing education credits in their field such as Conclave or ACTE. Companies or organizations that partner with DECA to provide scholarships to DECA advisors include:

JCPenney – three (3) scholarships to teachers to enhance their skills in retail.

Otis Spunkmeyer – three (3) $800 scholarships awarded to DECA teachers/advisors who can manage school stores. The scholarship will be based on exceptional DECA involvement, community involvement, and leadership ability. This scholarship can be used to attend DECA’s Chapter Summer Advisor Institute or may be used for professional development at a conference which provides continuing education credits in their fields.

Many other National Advisory Board companies offer scholarships to DECA members. These scholarship applications and awards are available directly through the organizations. They include: