At Arizona Culinary Institute, we offer a variety of financial aid options to help students fund their culinary education. Aid includes federal grants, military-based tuition reductions, and merit-based scholarships—each designed to reward achievement, support career changers, and make your education more accessible.
To apply for federal aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov. ACI’s federal school code is 041209. You must be accepted into the program for your financial aid application to be processed.
Need-based federal grants that do not require repayment. Awarded after FAFSA submission and financial need assessment.
(Diploma Program Only)
Available to students or direct family members with prior military service. Submit valid documentation (e.g., DD214) at enrollment to qualify for tuition reduction. Must maintain a 2.0 GPA to retain benefits. Prorated if program is not completed.
We recognize excellence and potential through multiple scholarship opportunities. All are non-cash tuition reductions for students enrolled in the Diploma Program.
The Elizabeth S. Leite Scholarship is for applicants that are receiving tuition assistance from an outside source that will only provide partial tuition coverage. Examples of such programs would be Vocational Rehabilitation, TAA and GI Bill®. Award amounts for the Elizabeth S. Leite Scholarship will vary depending on the amount received from outside sources. Applications for the Elizabeth S. Leite Scholarship are available from the Financial Aid Office. The applicant must be enrolled and have all outside funding sources processed to receive this tuition reduction (non-cash scholarship). The Elizabeth S. Leite Scholarship is a tuition reduction and is contingent upon maintaining a minimum grade point average of 2.0. If the student does not complete the program, the scholarship amount will be null and void.
The Culinary Merit Scholarship is for applicants who excelled in High School or College. The applicant must submit a written essay along with High School or College transcripts. For those applicants using culinary experience, courses, seminars or workshops, submission of certificates of achievement may replace transcripts. Award amounts for the Culinary Merit Scholarship range up to $5000. Applications for the Culinary Merit Scholarships are available in the Financial Aid Office. The applicant must be enrolled to receive this tuition reduction (non-cash) scholarship. The conditions of this award are that you maintain a 2.0 grade point average during Basics I and Basics II courses (instruction block 1). If the student does not complete the program, the scholarship amount will be null and void.
The Professional Culinary Scholarship is for applicants who are looking to change careers and join the culinary profession. The applicant must submit a written narrative about their culinary career goals and how attending Arizona Culinary Institute will help them obtain those goals. The Professional Culinary Scholarship is offered as a tuition reduction up to $2000. Applications for the Professional Culinary Scholarship are available in the Financial Aid Office. The applicant must be enrolled to receive tuition reduction (non-cash) scholarship. The conditions of this award are that you maintain a 2.0 grade point average during Basics I and Basics II (instruction block 1). If the student does not complete the program, the scholarship amount will be null and void
Note: ACI scholarships and grants are non-cash tuition reductions and cannot be combined. If a student does not complete the program, the award will be prorated or voided.
