DECA Scholarships to Apply for in 2025

DECA, or the Distributive Education Clubs of America, is an international organization that prepares high school and college students for future careers in business, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship. Through various programs, DECA provides members with the tools they need to achieve their goals and become successful leaders in their fields.

You may be wondering: Does DECA provide scholarships? DECA's scholarship program provides students the opportunity to apply for scholarships. DECA offers a variety of scholarships to its members, including academic scholarships, leadership scholarships, and career and technical scholarships.

A DECA scholarship program amount can range from $1,000 to as much as $5,000, and students are encouraged to apply to multiple scholarships, given that they meet the eligibility requirements.

In addition to DECA scholarships, students interested in a business career can apply for business scholarships on Bold.org. Creating a free Bold.org profile allows students to browse available scholarships and apply for scholarships with the click of a button.

What Is DECA?

DECA's mission is to prepare its members for leadership roles in the business world. DECA offers a comprehensive program based on leadership development, academic preparation, and career readiness to achieve this mission. Members have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities, including conferences, competitions, and community service projects.

The organization was founded in 1946 and has since grown to over 225,000 members in all 50 states and several countries worldwide.

DECA's programs are designed to help members develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in business. Members learn about marketing, finance, hospitality, and management through hands-on activities and real-world experiences. They also have the opportunity to network with other members and industry professionals through career development conferences, which can be invaluable as they begin their careers.

In addition to its programs, many corporate partners of DECA and other college and organization partners offer scholarships. These scholarships range from $1,000 - $5,000, and each has its own eligibility criteria.

Corporate Scholarship Program

DECA's corporate scholarship program comprises scholarships provided by corporate partners who have met specific eligibility criteria.

Scholarships are strictly merit-based and awarded based on DECA involvement, leadership ability, community service, and academic performance, as well as specific criteria for each scholarship.

Anderson Advisors Scholarship Program

Anderson Advisors provides $5,000 scholarships to four DECA members who are high school juniors, seniors, or college students. Applicants should be interested in a finance, accounting, sales, or marketing career.

Mariott International Scholarship Program

Mariott International is offering $2,000 scholarships to five DECA members interested in pursuing a career in the hospitality and tourism industry.

NRF Foundation

The NRF Foundation RISE Up provides two $2,500 scholarships to DECA members who are juniors or seniors in high school and have earned or are earning a RISE Up credential.

National Technical Honor Society

The National Technical Honor Society provides $1,00 scholarships to two DECA members who are also members of NTHS.

Otis Spunkmeyer Scholarship Program

Otis Spunkmeyer provides three $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who work in their school stores and sell Otis Spunkmeyer products.

Publix Super Markets Scholarship Program

Publix Super Markets provides five $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA or Collegiate DECA members who are associates of Publix.

Walgreens Scholarship Program

Walgreens | NRF Foundation provides two $2,500 scholarships to DECA members who have a career interest in retail and are currently employed by a retailer.

Whataburger Scholarship Program

Whataburger provides five $1,000 scholarships to DECA members interested in the restaurant and food service industry.

Harry Applegate Scholarship Program

The Harry Applegate Scholarship Program is another DECA scholarship fund that corporate and organization supporters contribute to. Harry Applegate Scholarships include DECA-sponsored scholarships for DECA members of different regions.

Scholarships are awarded based on DECA involvement, leadership ability, community service, and academic performance.

AICPA & CIMA

AICPA & CIMA provide two $1,000 scholarships to DECA members interested in accounting/finance.

Central Region DECA

Central Region DECA awards scholarships to DECA members who intend to pursue a course of study in entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, management, or marketing and are members of the DECA region.

 Central Region DECA provides the Brenda Clark Memorial Scholarship (two at $1,000 each), Pat DiPlacido Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), Bob Foehlinger Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), and the Central Region Vice President Scholarship ($1,000).

DECA Inc.

DECA Inc. provides five $5,000 scholarships to DECA members (high school or collegiate) who intend to pursue a course of study in entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, management, or marketing. DECA Inc. also provides a $1,000 scholarship to each DECA Inc. executive officer at the high school and collegiate divisions.

National Geographic Learning/Cengage

National Geographic Learning/Cengage provides two $1,000 scholarships to DECA members participating in DECA’s school-based enterprise (SBE) program.

North Atlantic Region DECA

North Atlantic Region DECA awards one $1,000 scholarship to the North Atlantic Region Vice President who intends to pursue a course of study in entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, management, or marketing and is a member of the DECA region.

Southern Region DECA

Southern Region DECA awards scholarships to DECA members who intend to pursue a course of study in entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, management, or marketing and are members of the DECA region. Southern Region DECA provides the Sonya Dismuke Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), the Ed Fleming Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), the Lynore Levenhagen Memorial Scholarship ($1,000), and the Southern Region Vice President Scholarship ($1,000).

Western Region DECA

Western Region DECA awards scholarships to DECA members who intend to pursue a course of study in entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, management, or marketing and are members of the DECA region. Western Region DECA provides four $1,000 scholarships and the Western Region Vice President Scholarship ($1,500).

Scholarships on Bold.org

In addition to DECA scholarships, students interested in business, entrepreneurship, marketing, hospitality, and/or management can apply for business scholarships on Bold.org. These exclusive scholarships are sponsored by community members who want to uplift students interested in a business career, especially underrepresented minority students and women students.

1. Business Scholarships
2. Entrepreneur Scholarships
3. Marketing Scholarships
4. Hospitality Scholarships
5. Scholarships for High School Freshmen
6. Scholarships for High School Sophomores
7. Scholarships for High School Juniors
8. Scholarships for High School Seniors
9. Scholarships for High School Students
10. Undergraduate Scholarships
11. Scholarships for College Freshmen
12. Scholarships for College Sophomores
13. Scholarships for College Juniors
14. Scholarships for College Seniors
15. Scholarships for Community College
16. Scholarships for College Students
17. Scholarships for Graduate Students
18. MBA Scholarships
19. PhD Scholarships
20. Master's Degree Scholarships

How Can I Become a Deca Member?

To become a DECA member, interested high school students and college students can submit a New Chapter Request through DECA's website. Before submitting a request, students should contact the DECA advisor at their current high school or college. An advisor is required to join a DECA chapter or start a new one.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Deca Scholarships?

To apply for a DECA scholarship, students must be current members of DECA. Most DECA scholarships are strictly merit-based, so demonstrated financial need is not required.

Can I Apply for More than One Deca Scholarship?

Students who are members of DECA are eligible to apply for as many scholarships as they qualify for.

Now that you’ve learned about DECA scholarships and business scholarships, you’re ready to start applying for scholarships! Don’t forget to create a free Bold.org profile to begin submitting your applications for our exclusive Bold scholarships.

What Is the Career Development Conference (ICDC)?

It is an international career development conference hosted by DECA where over 22,000 high school students, teacher-advisors, business professionals, and alumni come together for a thrilling several-day DECA event.

If you're a current DECA member, consider applying for Bold.org scholarships to help alleviate the costs of your college education. High school and college DECA members are encouraged and eligible to apply. Find scholarships tailored to you today!