Applications Now Being Accepted for Vito J. Pitta Scholarships

In society where income is often tied directly to education, no one can deny the value of a college education. As an example, several government studies have revealed that college graduates under 30 years of age have a much lower unemployment rate than high school graduates in that same age group. Similar studies show that depending on field of study college graduates can expect to earn between $500,000 and $1 million more in income than those without a college education. Graduate degrees add even more to those earnings gaps.

Facts like these show the enormous value of a college education. At the same time, however, no one can deny the enormous cost of a college education and the great help in meeting that cost that is provided by scholarships and grants. That’s why it is important for members to know that applications for the 2014 Vito J. Pitta Scholarship awards are being accepted between now and April 1.

Our Union’s scholarship program is now in its 27th year. It provides an outstanding opportunity for members’ children to attend the college or university of their choice and to realize their career goals. For these reasons parents should not let their children miss out on the chance to enter this competition!

To be eligible to enter the Vito J. Pitta Scholarships competition, applicants must be children or dependents of members who are employed in hotels or clubs that make contributions to this particular scholarship fund. In addition, applicants for the Vito J. Pitta scholarship competition must be high school seniors who will graduate this year (2014) and will be attending an accredited four-year college in the fall.

Most non-Division A hotels participate in the Vito J. Pitta scholarship program. In addition, most private clubs covered by a Local 6 contract also participate in the Vito J. Pitta scholarship program. A list of those participating clubs is published in this edition of Hotel Voice.

Children of Hotel Trades Council members employed in Division A hotels are NOT eligible for the Vito J. Pitta scholarship competition. Instead, there is a separate scholarship program for which they may apply and for which Hotel Voice will provide information in an upcoming edition. Also, both the Vito J. Pitta scholarship program and the Division A scholarship program should not be confused with the Union Plus scholarship program. There is a separate box in this edition of Hotel Voice that explains the Union Plus program. All members of our Union, regardless of the shop where they work, are eligible for the Union Plus scholarship program, as are their children.
As we have proudly noted before, the Vito J. Pitta scholarship awards program is the largest college grant benefit provided anywhere in the world through a private sector union contract. It is also one of the most successful scholarship programs anywhere. Dating back to its first year, 1987, the program has awarded an impressive total of $7,080,000 to a total of 885 students. Last year, a total of $280,000 was awarded to 35 graduating high school seniors. Each year, winners receive awards of $8,000 apiece, paid in increments of $2,000 for each of the four years of college.

Applying for the scholarship competition is easy. Parents and/or students should simply fill out an eligibility information form and submit it to the Scholarship Fund office either in person or by e-mail or postal mail. Instructions appear with the eligibility form, which is published on page 2 of this edition of Hotel Voice.

Over the years, many students have told us that a Vito J. Pitta scholarship made the difference in allowing them to attend the college or university of their choice. In some cases, these scholarships have even made the difference between attending or not attending college. We should add that the awards often mean more than money to many of the recipients. They also represent an important achievement, while helping recipients make a firm commitment to succeed in school and accomplish more in the years ahead.

Many previous scholarship winners have stayed in touch with the Union and the program’s trustees over the years. Many have let us know that they used their scholarship awards to attend some of the most prestigious — and expensive — schools in the country. Among the colleges and universities chosen by last year’s winners were Harvard, Princeton, Cornell and Columbia.

Other past scholarship winners have said their awards gave them the opportunity to attend schools in other states. Winners are free to use the money for tuition, books, room and board, apartment rental or any other expense related to their college education. All have put the awards to good use. Hundreds of previous scholarship recipients are now working professionals — doctors, lawyers, business executives, college professors, scientists, etc.

As we report every year, many factors are taken into account in determining the winners of the Vito J. Pitta Scholarship awards. These factors include students’ scholastic records, community involvement, financial need and extra-curricula activities.

The Vito J. Pitta scholarship program is a competition and the winners are chosen by a selection committee of five professional educators. The Union and management have no say at all in the determination of the winners. The scholarship selection committee has done a superb job of choosing the scholarship recipients in the past, as evidenced by the program’s unparalleled record of success.

“Through more than a quarter-century our Scholarship Fund has been a benefit that all of our members can take pride in,” Hotel Trades Council President Peter Ward said this week. “The previous winners are a credit to themselves, their parents and to the scholarship program itself, and we are confident that this year’s recipients, whoever they turn out to be, will be as successful as their predecessors.”

If you have a child or eligible dependent who is a graduating high school senior and is planning to attend an accredited four-year college or university this fall, it is indeed worthwhile to have them enter the Vito J. Pitta scholarship competition­ and follow the simple steps involved in the application process. Once again, an eligibility information form is published in this edition of Hotel Voice. Please remember that it is not an application itself, it is the first step to take to obtain an application. Please also remember that once applications are received they must be completed and returned to the Scholarship Fund office, 37-47 37th Street, Long Island City, no later than Tuesday, April 1, 2014.

We wish the best of luck to everyone who applies!