Scholarships | High School | DECA Inc.

DECA’s scholarship program provides over $200,000 in scholarships to high school and college DECA members at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) each year. DECA Inc. administers the program based on guidelines set by the donor. DECA scholarships are strictly merit-based.

DECA members will apply for scholarships through this website. Student members will need to create an account on the page. Click "CREATE AN ACCOUNT" and fill in your information to begin your application.

Applications are open now through January 9, 2026.

Corporate Scholarship Program

The Corporate Scholarship Program consists of scholarships provided by partners that have specific eligibility criteria. Scholarships are awarded based on the specific criteria as well as DECA involvement, leadership ability, community service and academic performance.

IBM SkillsBuild

IBM SkillsBuild provides five (5) $1,000 scholarships to DECA members who have completed an IBM SkillsBuild certification.

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

Leadership Iniatives

Leadership Initiatives provides two (2) $2,500 scholarships to DECA members who intend to pursue a course of study in entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, management or marketing.

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

NAAEI

The National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) provides two (2) $1,000 scholarships to DECA members who have an interest in property management, multi-family housing maintenance or leasing.

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

NRF Foundation - RISE UP

NRF Foundation–RISE Up provides five (5) $1,000 scholarships to DECA juniors or seniors who have earned (or are earning) a RISE Up credential.

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

NRF Foundation and Macy's

The NRF Foundation provides five (7) $2,500 scholarships to DECA members who have an interest in retail.

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

National Technical Honor Society

The National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) provides two (2) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who are also members of NTHS.

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

Otis Spunkmeyer

Otis Spunkmeyer provides three (3) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who work in their chapter's School-based Enterprise (school store) and sell Otis Spunkmeyer products.

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

Publix Super Markets

Publix Super Markets provides five (5) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA or Collegiate DECA members who are associates of Publix.

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

Raising Cane's

Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers provides five (5) $1,000 scholarships to DECA members who are associates and/or who has an interest in the restaurant, food industry.

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

Harry Applegate Scholarship Program

The Harry Applegate Scholarship Program is a scholarship fund that corporate and organization supporters contribute to, but the scholarship is actually in the name of the company or organization. Scholarships are awarded based on DECA involvement, leadership ability, community service and academic performance.

Central Region DECA

Central Region DECA awards scholarships to DECA members who intend to pursue a course of study in entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, management or marketing and are members of the DECA region. Central Region DECA provides the Brenda Clark Memorial Scholarship (two at $1,000 each), Pat DiPlacido Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), Bob Foehlinger Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), and the Central Region Vice President Scholarship ($1,000).

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

Clearpoint Business Group

Clearpoint Business Group provides two (2) $1,000 scholarships to DECA members who have an interest in entrepreneurship.

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

DECA

DECA Inc. provides five (5) $2,000 scholarships to DECA members (high school or collegiate) who intend to pursue a course of study in entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, management or marketing.

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

Hilton

Hilton provides five (5) $1,000 scholarships to DECA members who have an interest in hospitality.

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

Nestlé USA

Nestle USA provides two (2) $1,000 scholarships to DECA members who intend to pursue a course of study in entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, management or marketing.

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

North Atlantic Region DECA

North Atlantic Region DECA scholarships to DECA members who intend to pursue a course of study in entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, management or marketing and are members of the DECA region. North Atlantic Region DECA provides the Jerry DiGiovanni Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), Larry Lorenzi Scholarship ($1,000), and the North Atlantic Region Vice President Scholarship ($1,000).

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

Southern Region DECA

Southern Region DECA awards scholarships to DECA members who intend to pursue a course of study in entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, management or marketing and are members of the DECA region. Southern Region DECA provides the Sonya Dismuke Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), Ed Fleming Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), Lynore Levenhagen Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), and the Southern Region Vice President Scholarship ($1,000).

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

Tim Durnford Memorial Scholarship

The family of Tim Durnford provides one (1) $1,000 scholarship to a DECA member from the Western Region who has an interest in marketing, finance, hospitality, management and/or entrepreneurship.

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

Western Region DECA

Western Region DECA awards scholarships to DECA members who intend to pursue a course of study in entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, management or marketing and are members of the DECA region. Western Region DECA provides two (2) $1,000 scholarships, and the Western Region Vice President Scholarship ($1,500).

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Are DECA scholarships based on financial need?

Are unofficial transcripts accepted?

Can I apply for more than one scholarship?

Can I use the scholarship if I am a part-time student?

Can my scholarship be deferred?

Do I have to attend the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) if I win a scholarship?

Do I have to be a current DECA member to apply for DECA scholarships and what are the requirements to become a DECA member?

Do I have to be a high school DECA senior to apply?

Do I have to be an employee or child of the corporate sponsored scholarships?

Do I have to be interested in a particular career or industry for some scholarships?

How will I know if I win a scholarship?

If I win a scholarship, do I get to meet the sponsor and/or be able to send them a thank you letter?

Once my application is submitted can I go back in and make changes?

What if I have additional questions?

What is a community leader?

What is a statement of interest?

A statement of interest is an opportunity to share some valuable information about who you are, and why do you feel that you should receive a DECA scholarship. This part of your application gives the review committee to see more than your GPA, by including your future goals and interest. It basically gives you an opportunity to stand out from other applicants and tell your story. There is no word limit to your statement of interest.

Where are the scholarship monies sent?

Questions?

Contact DECA staff
for more information.

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