High School Seniors Can Now Apply for the 2022 College Scholarships

Vito J. Pitta and Division A Programs Are Now Accepting Applications

The Vito J. Pitta scholarship program and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council Division A scholarship program are now accepting applications for their 2022 awards. These programs provide an outstanding opportunity for members’ children to supplement the ever-increasing high cost of college. That's why parents should not let their children miss out on the chance to enter these competitions! Last year a total of $240,000 was awarded to 20 exceptionally talented graduating high school seniors. This year we are excited to share that Mario Gabelli has generously contributed $205,000 to the 2022 Vito J. Pitta scholarship program through the Mario Gabelli Foundation.

The Vito J. Pitta Program

To be eligible to enter the Vito J. Pitta scholarship competition, applicants must be children or dependents of members who are employed in hotels, casinos, concessions 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 in 2022 and will be attending an accredited four-year college or university in the fall of 2022.

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 included on the Eligibility Information Form that you can find by clicking here.

The Division A Program

Children of Hotel and Gaming Trades Council members employed in Division A hotels are NOT eligible for the Vito J. Pitta scholarship competition. Instead, they have a separate scholarship program. Applicants for the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council Division A scholarship competition must also be high school seniors who will graduate in 2022 and will be attending an accredited four-year college or university in the fall. Most Division A hotels participate in the Division A Scholarship program. A list of those participating hotels is included on the Division A Scholarship Eligibility Information Form that you can find by clicking here.

A Great Success Story

As we have proudly noted before, the 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 $9,272,000 in college grants to 1,122 children of Hotel and Gaming Trades Council members. Last year, a total of $240,000 was awarded to 20 graduating high school seniors. Each year, winners received awards of $12,000 apiece, paid in increments of $3,000 for each of the four years of college. We are proud to say that every previous scholarship recipient has either graduated college or graduate school, or is still receiving their college education.

Applying for the Awards

Applying for either the Vito J. Pitta or the Division A scholarship competitions is easy. Parents and/or students should simply fill out the appropriate eligibility information form and submit it to the appropriate Education and Scholarship Fund office.

For the Vito J. Pitta Eligibility Information Form, click here.

For the Division A Scholarship Eligibility Information Form, click here.

After eligibility is determined, the actual applications will be distributed. Members are asked to note that there are strict guidelines and deadlines to be followed. Complete instructions appear on the eligibility information forms.

Over the years, many students have told us that winning one of these scholarships made a genuine difference in their lives. The scholarship 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.

Competition Notes

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

These scholarship programs are competitive, and the winners are chosen by a selection committee of professional educators. The Union and management have no say whatsoever 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 unparalleled record of success in school and in careers by previous winners.

Once again, eligibility information forms for both the Vito J. Pitta and the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council Division A scholarship programs are available below.