OHLA Education & Training Fund

The OHLA Education & Training Fund (ETF) is designed to help finance the continuing education of hospitality industry employees who wish to further themselves in the performance of their duties. The OHLA ETF will offer to support 50% of the class cost in a matching program with your property or other source (up to $500 per F/T employee, per year). Newly added benefit for P/T employees with a minimum of 20 hrs/wk, up to $250 per year. These programs can be college or technical school hospitality-related courses/seminars. Other sources will be considered as long as the program will benefit the employee in their job. Exclusions: General Managers, Owners, and Independent Contractors.

Applications are reviewed quarterly before OHLA Board of Trustees Meetings.

Use of Scholarship
The Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association Education & Training Fund (ETF) is designed to help finance the continuing education of hospitality industry employees for professional development, which will benefit both themselves and the member property. This includes classes through community colleges and universities, approved seminars and webinars, as well as certifications through the American Hotel & Lodging Education Institute. The Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association has adopted a matching program and will offer to support 50% of your requested course amount; the remaining is to be paid by yourself, your employer, or another source. Nothing in this application requires the awarding of any education or training dollars. The decision to award education and training dollars is at the sole discretion of the OHLA Education and Training Fund Committee.

Eligibility criteria

• Length of employment -Applicant must be employed in good standing by the property for 90 days in order for consideration of scholarship funds.
• Applicant Weekly Hours
  • Full-time hours are a minimum of 32 hours per week
  • Part-time hours are a minimum of 20 hours per week
• Eligible college or technical school hospitality-related courses/seminars must be specific to the hospitality industry and your current job or aspired job responsibilities. AHLA Certifications, organizations offering training in specific areas such HVAC, Spa Skill Training, and technical skills. A few examples are:
  • Signature Worldwide- programs through OHLA
  • Dale Carnegie-Sales related
  • CTA Certification-initial certification
  • CIC Recertification
  • Skill Path Seminars
  • Fred Pryor Seminars
• OHLA may award funds to a Full-time employee of no more than $500 in a 12-month period; A Part-time employee of no more than $250 in a 12-month period; and post a $1,000 per property cap in a 12-month period (cap subject to variance based on available funds). Funds will not be awarded for courses/seminars that are sponsored or offered by the ownership, management, or franchisor of the property. Exclusions: GM’s, Owners, and Independent contractors.
• Applicant will submit for funds upon completion of the course with a B or higher grade, a Pass, or be awarded Certification acknowledgement. They will be asked to provide proof of grade or certificate.
•  The recipient must remain an employee for at least 90 days after the award is given. The General Manager will be
  asked to confirm.

Application process checklist

The following materials must be submitted to the OHLA offices and the ETF Committee:
____A) A completed and signed application. Only complete applications will be considered.
____B) An essay describing your personal background and why the course/seminar applies to your hospitality career. 
____C) A linked form completed by the General Manager stating why he/she recommends you receive these funds.
____D) Course/seminar description and cost information from the catalog/flyer or similar official source.

Note: Funds are awarded for a single hospitality-related course/seminar, not for an entire program of classes. Education & Training Fund dollars will be made payable to the sponsoring organization and sent directly to that organization unless other arrangements have been made in advance.

To apply for a scholarship, please complete the form below and submit it to info@ohla.org. Ask your GM to send their emailed approval to info@ohla.org.

Fill out the Scholarship Application Here

Download the OHLA Education & Training Fund Application and Eligibility Guidelines

You may also print and return a completed OHLA Scholarship Application, and a General Manager's written recommendation to the Education and Training Fund Committee, Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association, 175 S. Third St. Suite 170, Columbus OH 43215.