Applications Open for the 2026 WHLA Educational Scholarships

Future lodging leaders, this is your moment!

The Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association is proud to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 WHLA Educational Scholarship Program. With multiple awards available and a focus on supporting students committed to Wisconsin’s lodging industry, this annual program helps outstanding individuals continue their education and strengthen their path toward a successful career.

Who Can Apply?

Students are eligible if they meet one or both of the following:

• They are enrolled in an accredited WHLA member college/university with lodging components in their degree program, or
• They worked at a Wisconsin lodging property during the calendar year and are enrolled in an accredited college or university.

Whether students are already studying lodging or gaining hands-on experience at a WHLA member property, this program helps remove financial barriers to completing their degree.

Available Scholarships

This year WHLA is proud to offer three distinct scholarship opportunities:

Merit Scholarship — $2,000

Awarded to one or more students pursuing a career in lodging management, meeting planning, or another lodging-related field.

Cal Worrell Memorial Scholarship — $1,000

Honoring the legacy of longtime WHLA leader and Madison hospitality icon Cal Worrell, this award is presented by the Madison Area Hotel & Lodging Association and the Madison Concourse Hotel & Governor’s Club.

Kari Zambon Memorial Scholarship — $1,000

​Presented by Wisconsin Women in Lodging (WWIL), this award celebrates the contributions of Northwoods innkeeper, tourism champion, and former WHLA board chair Kari Zambon.

What’s Required?

To be considered, applicants must submit:

• Resume
• A personal statement (maximum 500 words) on their background, work experience in the lodging industry, aptitudes, interests, and career goals
• Proof of enrollment
• Unofficial transcript
• Two letters of recommendation (instructor, lodging supervisor, or personal reference)

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: February 14, 2026
• Recipients Notified: March 22, 2026
• Funds Disbursed to Schools: By April 24, 2026

Students are encouraged to apply early and ensure all components are submitted before the deadline.

Apply Today

​WHLA is committed to supporting the next generation of lodging professionals across Wisconsin. If you—or a student you know—are pursuing a career connected to the hotel and lodging industry, we encourage you to apply now.

Submit an Application