Scholarships and Contests

DECA's scholarship program provides over $300,000 in scholarships at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) each year. Many corporate partners of DECA provide scholarships through the DECA Scholarship Program. DECA Inc. administers the program based on guidelines set by the donor. DECA scholarships are strictly merit based.

Examples of companies or organizations that partner with DECA to provide scholarships to DECA members include:

  • Don DeBolt—two (2) $2,000 scholarships, awarded to DECA members who have an interest in pursuing franchising and entrepreneurship course of study.
  • Finish Line—fifteen (15) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA/Collegiate DECA members who are Finish Line associates.
  • Harry Applegate—scholarship that corporate supporters contribute to but actually in the company's name. Scholarship is based on DECA/Collegiate DECA involvement, leadership ability, community service and grades.
  • Kmart—five (5) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who are associates of Kmart.
  • Marriott International—six (6) $1,500 scholarships to DECA members who have hospitality experience or interest.
  • Men's Wearhouse–four (4) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA/Collegiate DECA members who are also associates of Men's Wearhouse.
  • NAPA—nine (9) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA/Collegiate DECA members who are NAPA associates or have an interest in careers in the automotive industry.
  • NTHS (National Technical Honor Society)—two (2) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who are also members of NTHS.
  • Otis Spunkmeyer—five (5) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who work in their school stores and sell Otis Spunkmeyer products.
  • Publix Super Markets—seven (7) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who are associates of Publix.
  • Safeway—ten (10) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who are Safeway associates or associates of one of their brands (i.e. Vons, Dominick's, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Genuradi's, Pavillion, Carrs)
  • SEARS—five (5) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who are associates of Sears.
  • TJMaxx/Marshalls—three (3) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA/Collegiate DECA members who are associates of TJMaxx and/or Marshalls. Students working in all TJX divisions are also welcome to apply.
  • Walgreens—five (5) $1,000 scholarships awarded to DECA members who can show evidence of DECA activities, leadership ability, community involvement.  

 

Click here to fill out scholarship applications

H & R Block Dollars & Sence Challenge

 

Participants in the H&R Block Dollars & Sense Challenge compete on personal financial knowledge. The challenge occurs using computerized simulations in a competition version of the Virtual Business Challenge - Personal Finance software. The qualifying rounds are conducted online.

In the H&R Block Dollars & Sense Challenge, participants will:

  • Manage personal finance concepts such as bank accounts, credit and debit cards, bills, credit scores, taxes, insurance and investing
  • Interpret actions, charts and graphs to make strategic financial desicions and optimize net worth
  • Post competition scores online to view how they rank statewide, regionally and internationally

 

Click here to register your team.

DECA's Finish Line Challenge

 

PUT YOURSELF IN AN EXECUTIVE’S SHOES

Finish Line and DECA are pleased to announce the return of the Finish Line Challenge. In this innovative real-world activity, DECA members in teams of one to three will conduct market research studies at Finish Line retail stores, develop recommendations for improvements and turn their findings into a ten-minute YouTube video.

The top three teams will be flown to Finish Line’s corporate office in Indianapolis, Indiana, to present their findings to Finish Line executives. The overall winning team will receive a travel prize to cover that teams expenses to the DECA International Career Development Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The deadline to post video entries to YouTube is December 19, 2011. This opportunity is available exclusively to DECA members.

 

Click here for more information

Complete guidelines and registration form

DECA/DeVry Innocation and Entrepreneurship Challenge

 

Participants in the DeVry Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge will present ideas to launch innovative business concepts. Business concepts should enhance the lives of the North American consumer and must be related to one of the following themes: technology, environmental sustainability, personal health, or tourism. Challenge participants will make presentations to DeVry University faculty, administrators and executives via videos posted on YouTube.

 

DeVry University challenges DECA members to design, develop and present ideas for innovative business concepts that are financially viable. Each challenge participant (or participant team) must create a 5-10 minute video presentation which will be posted on YouTube for evaluation. The top three participants (or participant teams) will be invited to attend DECA's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference in Chicago, IL.

 

Click here for more information.

For complete guidelines and the registration form click here.

DECA/FIDM Challenge

 

Participants in The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) Challenge will help to further the awareness and understanding of sustainability in textile related products by creating a runway worthy garment using previously used fabrics or garments.

Participants will create a runway-worthy garment from previously used fabrics and/or garments and then create a marketing campaign focusing on sustainable fashion. The cost of materials to create the garment should not exceed $20. Challenge participants will make presentations to FIDM executives and instructors via videos posted on YouTube.

Complete guidelines and the registration form are available on the right-hand side of this page.

 

For more information click here.

For complete guidelines and registration form click here.